Check In To Admit You Were Wrong Ab Wilson Contreras

[bccardsfan]

What's interesting is he deliberately get HBP on the elbow pad and then blames his teammates for not wanting to fight the other team.

I suspect that is why Bloom wants to trade him. He is an unwanted distraction. Mets seem like an ideal destination. Lots of theaters in New York. He can have a second career in drama when his baseball days are over.

I was a bit tired of WC's act as well. Hopefully there will be a half decent return. However, as has been stated many times, his contract was not underwater. He also is not the glue to hold the team together in my opinion. Will be interested to see what return he may bring if traded.

But seriously, what is his ‘act’?

Other than the HBP eruption, what has he done?

I have nothing against him, but I was tired of watching his approach at the plate too. Taking very hittable pitches and getting down in the count. He just never struck me as a great ball player. Not bad, just not great. Again, the contract is not under water, but he is a complimentary piece. Not the straw that stirs the drink. It really doesn't matter to me if he is traded or stays. We shall see what happens between now and ST...

[rockondlouie]

Interesting, I wonder how many would've thought Gorman w/a higher fWAR delivered than Burleson and in 220 fewer PA's.

Great legwork cstatman

Yes. Different trajectories though. Gorman downward and Burleson upward.

I hoped they would sell both but apparently we are ousting Contreras, Arenado, and Donovan to make room for Burleson, Gorman, and Walker to play more.

I don't think that's going to turn out well.

Exactly

Burly w/the UP arrow, Norman w/the DOWN

Runway is being (likely) cleared for Norman at 3rd, Burly 1st and Walker back in RF.

I'm shocked they seem comfortable starting Walker in St. Louis and not at Memphis where he belongs.

I'm ambivalent on Walker in AAA or STL. Not sure going down will teach him anything that will improve his ML performance. I am hopeful they find the key to unlock any potential he has and will accept either course of action.

Make or break season either way

Bloom has no investment in Walker (or Gorman) given these are "Mo's guys" so he can cut the cord and move on w/o any blowback if they both struggle again in 2026.

I have hope they can both be salvaged, albet it's very low hope.

[ecleme22]

What's interesting is he deliberately get HBP on the elbow pad and then blames his teammates for not wanting to fight the other team.

I suspect that is why Bloom wants to trade him. He is an unwanted distraction. Mets seem like an ideal destination. Lots of theaters in New York. He can have a second career in drama when his baseball days are over.

I was a bit tired of WC's act as well. Hopefully there will be a half decent return. However, as has been stated many times, his contract was not underwater. He also is not the glue to hold the team together in my opinion. Will be interested to see what return he may bring if traded.

But seriously, what is his ‘act’?

Other than the HBP eruption, what has he done?

I have nothing against him, but I was tired of watching his approach at the plate too. Taking very hittable pitches and getting down in the count. He just never struck me as a great ball player. Not bad, just not great. Again, the contract is not under water, but he is a complimentary piece. Not the straw that stirs the drink. It really doesn't matter to me if he is traded or stays. We shall see what happens between now and ST...

I think you’re blaming him for something that really no one claims him to be: a straw that stirs the drink. And he’s not paid that way either.

But either way, what ‘act’ are you tired of?

He’s been a steady, positive and unselfish player. And many refer to him as a team leader.

I’ve been reading a trail of tears on CT at the thought of a Donovan trade. Yet with Contreras, there is a % of CTers that don’t like him. Weird…

[bccardsfan]

What's interesting is he deliberately get HBP on the elbow pad and then blames his teammates for not wanting to fight the other team.

I suspect that is why Bloom wants to trade him. He is an unwanted distraction. Mets seem like an ideal destination. Lots of theaters in New York. He can have a second career in drama when his baseball days are over.

I was a bit tired of WC's act as well. Hopefully there will be a half decent return. However, as has been stated many times, his contract was not underwater. He also is not the glue to hold the team together in my opinion. Will be interested to see what return he may bring if traded.

But seriously, what is his ‘act’?

Other than the HBP eruption, what has he done?

I have nothing against him, but I was tired of watching his approach at the plate too. Taking very hittable pitches and getting down in the count. He just never struck me as a great ball player. Not bad, just not great. Again, the contract is not under water, but he is a complimentary piece. Not the straw that stirs the drink. It really doesn't matter to me if he is traded or stays. We shall see what happens between now and ST...

I think you’re blaming him for something that really no one claims him to be: a straw that stirs the drink. And he’s not paid that way either.

But either way, what ‘act’ are you tired of?

He’s been a steady, positive and unselfish player. And many refer to him as a team leader.

I’ve been reading a trail of tears on CT at the thought of a Donovan trade. Yet with Contreras, there is a % of CTers that don’t like him. Weird…

Oh, I am not blaming him for anything. He is just an above avg player being paid fairly in today's game. I just have watched him make some stupid baserunning decisions and in general I don't think he is all that great a player. Whatever... I would much rather keep Donovan, but understand he will most likely be gone. Yes, I understand Donovan's limitations as well, but with the game on the line, two outs, and down to your last hitter, I would prefer Donovan at the plate to WC. Whatever, my opinion.....doesn't really matter much...

[Ozziesfan41]

Contreras was a good signing. He’s not paid like he’s the guy and people complain that he’s not the guy? It’s weird. He wasn’t even signed to be the guy. He was signed to be a complimentary guy to arenado and goldy
which if they were doing what they were supposed to be doing and he was hitting 5th or 6th he would be great but instead because those two fell off a cliff and walker and Gorman suck and never became the guys people want to complain that oh he’s not the guy. No kidding Sherlock he was never meant to be

[ScotchMIrish]

What's interesting is he deliberately get HBP on the elbow pad and then blames his teammates for not wanting to fight the other team.

I suspect that is why Bloom wants to trade him. He is an unwanted distraction. Mets seem like an ideal destination. Lots of theaters in New York. He can have a second career in drama when his baseball days are over.

I was a bit tired of WC's act as well. Hopefully there will be a half decent return. However, as has been stated many times, his contract was not underwater. He also is not the glue to hold the team together in my opinion. Will be interested to see what return he may bring if traded.

We could get something but remember we offered more than any other team for him as a catcher.

https://www.mlb.com/stats/ops?position=1B

At first base he comes in at 12th on the list for OPS. He is tradeable as long as Bloom is reasonable in what he is asking for. It will sort itself out over the next month.

[alw80]

-Previous team (managed by a catcher) didn’t want anything to do with him as a catcher or person (routinely destroyed expensive clubhouse property)
-Division rival got his younger, better, cheaper brother (who actually catches)
-Post-prime signing of a .250ish hitter who maxes out at 20ish Hrs.

No 1B didn’t improve anything offensively, still topped out at his career ceiling norms.

-Couldn’t catch
-Couldn’t hit for significant power

-rage = leadership (apparently to CardsTalk dummies)

Admit at least that the signing was a total failure.

If you can admit the obvious maybe you can go a little further and admit how totally wrong you were. Yes, you. Yep, you. 99.9% of this board has been full supporters and optimistic hope hopers hoping this guy actually makes a difference and for some delusional reason people thought he’d exceed the production of his prime well into his post-prime.

This was a stupidly dumb waste of money and playing time investment in others.

He was a problem from day one not knowing how to call a game and then he just got in the way as a DH.

No. Stop. Rewire your brain. Let the growth of character flow through you.

Stop resisting. Let it overwhelm your ego.

Now admit.

The signing never made any sense.

[ScotchMIrish]

This is a perfect example.

https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/video/wil ... leb-durbin

He admits he does things to get the team "fired up" and says he had every right to trip the guy because he was running inside the line. The base is inside the line. That's where people run on ground balls.

That's a team leader? Pujols was a team leader and he never pulled garbage like that on the field. Adios. Give 1B to Burleson.

[Horseradish]

This is a perfect example.

https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/video/wil ... leb-durbin

He admits he does things to get the team "fired up" and says he had every right to trip the guy because he was running inside the line. The base is inside the line. That's where people run on ground balls.

That's a team leader? Pujols was a team leader and he never pulled garbage like that on the field. Adios. Give 1B to Burleson.

You’re really reaching to try to get rid of the most productive hitter on a team that can’t hit. You must like watching the cardinals lose.

[Rosie's Rule]

On Contreras -
2025 was the highest RBI total of his career at 80
2023 was his second highest RBI total at 67
He has had 6 seasons with 20 or more HRS & 2 of them have been with the Cards.

Considering the level of injuries and down time he was experiencing as a catcher first base was a good move.

Seems to be a very good value at $15M/year.

Odd part - when he lost control and was suspended for a few games the same people that said this club needed more fire and attitude were quick to condemn him.

[dugoutrex]

-Previous team (managed by a catcher) didn’t want anything to do with him as a catcher or person (routinely destroyed expensive clubhouse property)
-Division rival got his younger, better, cheaper brother (who actually catches)
-Post-prime signing of a .250ish hitter who maxes out at 20ish Hrs.

No 1B didn’t improve anything offensively, still topped out at his career ceiling norms.

-Couldn’t catch
-Couldn’t hit for significant power

-rage = leadership (apparently to CardsTalk dummies)

Admit at least that the signing was a total failure.

If you can admit the obvious maybe you can go a little further and admit how totally wrong you were. Yes, you. Yep, you. 99.9% of this board has been full supporters and optimistic hope hopers hoping this guy actually makes a difference and for some delusional reason people thought he’d exceed the production of his prime well into his post-prime.

This was a stupidly dumb waste of money and playing time investment in others.

He was a problem from day one not knowing how to call a game and then he just got in the way as a DH.

No. Stop. Rewire your brain. Let the growth of character flow through you.

Stop resisting. Let it overwhelm your ego.

Now admit.

he has been the best player on a mediocre team - he is a pros pro imho

[RichieRichSTL]

He's not an AS, but he's not awful. Having him at 1B, DH will not be a drag on the team. He may not be the impact you like, but he's very solid. He isnt a bargain, but he is not a money pit.

What is a drag on the team is the inability to develop young talent and then giving idiot extensions to Mikolas, carpenter and dumb too smart by 1/2 signings Mo had done and trading off cost control pitching for two years of Ozuna and not finishing the job.

Mo always did just enough to be competitive, but not enough to go far into the playoffs.

Contreras was the difference maker some hoped, but he isnt the one that brought them down.

[Clubmaker2]

For the cardinals, the issue is not just is it a decent deal to market average. It is a question also of is that the position with also a NTC, one they really needed to spend their money on. With a NTC, then a reasonable contract doesnt mean you can always unload it if not really needed. Did the money go to the cards most vital weaknesses, as money is always limited with BD.

[Melville]

-Previous team (managed by a catcher) didn’t want anything to do with him as a catcher or person (routinely destroyed expensive clubhouse property)
-Division rival got his younger, better, cheaper brother (who actually catches)
-Post-prime signing of a .250ish hitter who maxes out at 20ish Hrs.

No 1B didn’t improve anything offensively, still topped out at his career ceiling norms.

-Couldn’t catch
-Couldn’t hit for significant power

-rage = leadership (apparently to CardsTalk dummies)

Admit at least that the signing was a total failure.

If you can admit the obvious maybe you can go a little further and admit how totally wrong you were. Yes, you. Yep, you. 99.9% of this board has been full supporters and optimistic hope hopers hoping this guy actually makes a difference and for some delusional reason people thought he’d exceed the production of his prime well into his post-prime.

This was a stupidly dumb waste of money and playing time investment in others.

He was a problem from day one not knowing how to call a game and then he just got in the way as a DH.

No. Stop. Rewire your brain. Let the growth of character flow through you.

Stop resisting. Let it overwhelm your ego.

Now admit.

First, learn to spell his name.

I'll admit you have quite a slant to your post.

WillyCon is nowhere in the list of concerns as a Cardinal.

He outhit his younger brother last year, and led the Cards for HRs and RBIs, as well as the only leader on the team.

Correct - he has not been the problem.
Fact is, I was the only person on the planet to correctly analyze the signing at the time it was made.
I made 2 very specific statements at the time - both of which have since proven to be brilliantly correct.
One, I stated Contreras was signed to be the catcher only until Goldschmidt's contract - at which time he would be moved to 1B.
Everyone said I was wrong.
Obviously, I was correct.
Two, I stated the Contreras signing would prove to be the smartest and best investment among all the high-dollar FA position players who changed teams that off-season.
Turner got 300M, Bogaerts 280M, Correa 200M, Swanson 177M, Nimmo 162M, and Yoshida signed for 90M.
The Cardinals signed Contreras for just 87.5M - easily the best value from that entire group, exactly as I predicted.
Everyone said I was wrong.
Obviously, I was right.
Allow me to point out to the OP that I am happy to check in and admit I was the only person on the planet correct about Contreras.

[Clubmaker2]

One, I stated Contreras was signed to be the catcher only until Goldschmidt's contract - at which time he would be moved to 1B.

dont remember you ever saying that during the pitcher revolt , that he will only catch this season so what is the big deal, or that goldy is gone no matter what type season he has....so, I have also questioned this before with even better logic as to why it makes sense you never did. So, feel free to show us.

[ScotchMIrish]

This is a perfect example.

https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/video/wil ... leb-durbin

He admits he does things to get the team "fired up" and says he had every right to trip the guy because he was running inside the line. The base is inside the line. That's where people run on ground balls.

That's a team leader? Pujols was a team leader and he never pulled garbage like that on the field. Adios. Give 1B to Burleson.

You’re really reaching to try to get rid of the most productive hitter on a team that can’t hit. You must like watching the cardinals lose.

Have we been winning? Unfortunately I wouldn't be surprised if Marmol is telling to do that to "fire up" the team. The team he fires up is the team in the other dugout.