Been quiet on Contreras .. Might he be moved this winter ?

[ramfandan]

Most all media talk from the GM meetings has been on Donovan, Arenado, and Gray , the latter two being 2 of our 3 no trade clause vets .
Nary a word on Contreras. Would make sense that Bloom is seeking to deal Gray and Arenado first but wondering if there is any movement behind the scenes on Contreras.

Once teams are found for Gray and Arenado ,will Bloom turn to attempting to trade Contreras too this offseason getting him to waive his NTC also.
I would not be surprised if WillyCon rumors start up once Nado and Gray are dealt . What do you think ?

[rockondlouie]

WillyC is going nowhere (IMO).

He loves it here and has made it clear, even though he'd "listen", he wants to stay and help the kids w/the re-build.

I hope he stays!

[scoutyjones2]

WillyC is going nowhere (IMO).

He loves it here and has made it clear, even though he'd "listen", he wants to stay and help the kids w/the re-build.

I hope he stays!

the only leader on the team...he stays

[ScotchMIrish]

He is a distraction getting hit on the elbow pad deliberately and then complaining when his teammates don't retaliate. Tripping the runner at first base and then trying to start a fight with someone in the dugout.

If he isn't moved than apparently that's what Marmol and the front office like. To me it's bush league. Move him and use Hererra/Burleson as 1B/DH.

[KeeptheRamsinSTL]

He is a distraction getting hit on the elbow pad deliberately and then complaining when his teammates don't retaliate. Tripping the runner at first base and then trying to start a fight with someone in the dugout.

If he isn't moved than apparently that's what Marmol and the front office like. To me it's bush league. Move him and use Hererra/Burleson as 1B/DH.

He has a no trade clause. He prefers to stay but maybe for a price could be convinced to waive it.

[Melville]

WillyC is going nowhere (IMO).

He loves it here and has made it clear, even though he'd "listen", he wants to stay and help the kids w/the re-build.

I hope he stays!

the only leader on the team...he stays

Both.
Spot.
On.
Only an idiot would trade him this off-season.
We shall soon see if Blom is one.

[Whatashame]

I think it’s 60/40 that Contreras is moved this winter. Sure he likes being here but him playing 1B is a roadblock to some of the younger guys. Contreras catching anymore here seems to be water under the bridge.

We have Burleson, Gorman, Herrera at the moment as possible 1B solutions. I can see Contreras staying but I can easily see him moving. Especially with BDW intent on cutting payroll. If the Cardinals are successful in moving Arenado, Gray, Contreras and trading Donovan, it’s entirely possible the Cardinals could field a team with a payroll UNDER 100 million dollars. Also a lineup of
C Herrera/Crooks
1B Burleson/Herrera
2B Wetherholt
SS Winn
3B Gorman/Saggese
LF Nootbaar/Burleson
CF Scott
RF ???/Walker
DH Herrera/Burleson/Gorman
is entirely possible. We need pitching and at least one OFer (hopefully 2) but that all depends on how much BDW is willing (not able) to spend. Moving forward without Contreras is certainly a possibility.

[ScotchMIrish]

WillyC is going nowhere (IMO).

He loves it here and has made it clear, even though he'd "listen", he wants to stay and help the kids w/the re-build.

I hope he stays!

the only leader on the team...he stays

Cardinals’ Willson Contreras hints his pitchers aren’t protecting him from being hit by pitches

He gets hit deliberately on the elbow pad and then blames his teammates. That's leadership? He should learn how to skate and take up hockey if he wants to fight. Baseball isn't ice hockey.

[tgharris]

WillyC is going nowhere (IMO).

He loves it here and has made it clear, even though he'd "listen", he wants to stay and help the kids w/the re-build.

I hope he stays!

Here's hoping.

[rockondlouie]

WillyC is going nowhere (IMO).

He loves it here and has made it clear, even though he'd "listen", he wants to stay and help the kids w/the re-build.

I hope he stays!

Here's hoping.

No doubt tgh

I'm a big fan of WillyC, wish we had a half dozen more like him.

[scoutyjones2]

WillyC is going nowhere (IMO).

He loves it here and has made it clear, even though he'd "listen", he wants to stay and help the kids w/the re-build.

I hope he stays!

the only leader on the team...he stays

Cardinals’ Willson Contreras hints his pitchers aren’t protecting him from being hit by pitches

He gets hit deliberately on the elbow pad and then blames his teammates. That's leadership? He should learn how to skate and take up hockey if he wants to fight. Baseball isn't ice hockey.

No retaliation is his concern dumb[ash].

[OBIE 1980]

I think it’s 60/40 that Contreras is moved this winter. Sure he likes being here but him playing 1B is a roadblock to some of the younger guys. Contreras catching anymore here seems to be water under the bridge.

We have Burleson, Gorman, Herrera at the moment as possible 1B solutions. I can see Contreras staying but I can easily see him moving. Especially with BDW intent on cutting payroll. If the Cardinals are successful in moving Arenado, Gray, Contreras and trading Donovan, it’s entirely possible the Cardinals could field a team with a payroll UNDER 100 million dollars. Also a lineup of
C Herrera/Crooks
1B Burleson/Herrera
2B Wetherholt
SS Winn
3B Gorman/Saggese
LF Nootbaar/Burleson
CF Scott
RF ???/Walker
DH Herrera/Burleson/Gorman
is entirely possible. We need pitching and at least one OFer (hopefully 2) but that all depends on how much BDW is willing (not able) to spend. Moving forward without Contreras is certainly a possibility.

And no one can hit a lick from Gorman on down.

[billybaseball]

I think he gets moved. Think the Cards eat some money and get a pretty big return. Lot's of teams looking for RHH with pop.

[ramfandan]

Some interesting discussion on Contreras .. I posed the question as Contreras this year has slightly changed his stance from the previous year.

Yes, he has expressed his desire to stay and help mentor the young guys but in the September this year in local articles , Contreras also 'hedged' (Goold's word not mine ) about possibly willing to waive his NTC.

In an interview with reporter Jeff Jones, here was Contreras quote
'If something comes up to (POBO Chaim Bloom) that makes a lot of sense for him and the organization, and it makes sense for me and my future , how about we walk about that ? But as of right now, I would just like to be part of the rebuilding process. '

Contreras also said this about that meeting with Bloom for that meeting in late Sept.

'I'd like to be part of a young team that needs to have some kind of experience around them. That's what I expressed, but I understand the part of the business of the team, and we just came to an agreement there.'


Reading between the lines , it certainly sounds like Bloom is open to trading Contreras if he finds a deal he likes and wants Contreras to keep an 'open mind' about waving his NTC if there is a team that works for Contreras. The quotes also indicate Contreras realizes this is a business and the Cardinals may feel long term it is better in trading him for younger talent.
Other options include : Continue with Contreras in 2026 and revisit the situation after 2026

IMPORTANT NOTE" Something not reported often
Contreras has a FULL No Trade Clause thru 2026 this year
It then becomes a 10-team No Trade Clause for 2027-2028
So Bloom could wait thru this 2026 season and then have 20 of the 30 teams he could trade Contreras to. (Actually 19 of the 20 as Bloom can't trade him to the Cardinals

[Whatashame]

I think it’s 60/40 that Contreras is moved this winter. Sure he likes being here but him playing 1B is a roadblock to some of the younger guys. Contreras catching anymore here seems to be water under the bridge.

We have Burleson, Gorman, Herrera at the moment as possible 1B solutions. I can see Contreras staying but I can easily see him moving. Especially with BDW intent on cutting payroll. If the Cardinals are successful in moving Arenado, Gray, Contreras and trading Donovan, it’s entirely possible the Cardinals could field a team with a payroll UNDER 100 million dollars. Also a lineup of
C Herrera/Crooks
1B Burleson/Herrera
2B Wetherholt
SS Winn
3B Gorman/Saggese
LF Nootbaar/Burleson
CF Scott
RF ???/Walker
DH Herrera/Burleson/Gorman
is entirely possible. We need pitching and at least one OFer (hopefully 2) but that all depends on how much BDW is willing (not able) to spend. Moving forward without Contreras is certainly a possibility.

And no one can hit a lick from Gorman on down.

I’m not saying I like this one bit but I can see this happening. The approach for years has been lacking and I don’t see anything that’s going to change. I sure hope things are different but that will take BDW showing me that he is willing to do things differently. Happy for the change to Bloom but it’s BDW that has to bring real change.

[ilcubuffs]

'If something comes up to (POBO Chaim Bloom) that makes a lot of sense for him and the organization, and it makes sense for me and my future ,"

Translation = what incentives will you give WC to accept a trade? More $$, more years, more years & $$. Statements are altruistic, but reality is it always comes down to $$$$.