The NTC Guys- Willson Contreras

[Talkin' Baseball]

The first order of business this offseason needs to be trying to find a trade for the 3 players with no trade clauses. It would be helpful if they could resolve these questions before the winter meetings. Knowing if these players will further define who is on the roster, where opportunities and needs are, as well as what the payroll situation will be. Personally, I would trade all 3 if I could. A few suggestions from me:

Willson Contreras- Willson would probably be the easiest of the NTC guys to trade based on production, but in the end will probably be the hardest to trade because he seems the most reluctant to waive his NTC. Willson is still a productive hitter and his defensive transition to 1B was a success. He is not at all a liability there. There are teams that need a 1B, but most of them I just can’t see Willson approving a trade to. Of course, I am just guessing because he hasn’t said much except he wants to stay here. Well, if he likes living and playing here, I’m guessing maybe he wouldn’t like living or playing in Boston, or with the Mets. In my guesswork I only came up with 2 teams I thought he might approve a trade to.

My proposal- Willson Contreras and 10M to the Texas Rangers for pitcher Alejandro Rosario and 1B/OF Abimelec Ortiz. The money takes the form of 5M salary to the Rangers in 2026 and 2027. I believe Contreras could be moved without adding any money, if the Cardinals were not concerned about a return, but should add the money because they need to get a return. Would Contreras approve? Don’t know. The Rangers are a veteran team, and a contending team. They were #1 in pitching in MLB this season, but desperately need some RH bats and got awful production from 1B. They are looking to compete and cut payroll this season. In this scenario Contreras costs them 13M. If they can make a deal before the non-tender deadline, the Rangers could safely non-tender Jake Burger, who floundered at 1B for them this season. The big get for the Cardinals is Rosario. Rosario is coming off TJ surgery and should be ready for the ’26 season. He is the Rangers #6 prospect, last pitching in AA. He has a 94-98 mph fastball and a deadly splitter. He is a 23 year-old righthander with impeccable control. He averaged 13.1 K/9 and only 1.3 BB/9. You read right- only 1.3 BB/9! He carried a 2.24 ERA and a 0.928 WHIP in the minors. The Rangers have 3 other RHP ranked ahead of him and might be willing to part with him in order to address their glaring and immediate need for a RH bat and first baseman. Ortiz is a left-handed bat with power. He hit 23 HR last year. He is not very athletic and is not a good defender. Oddly, he is the only prospect (#18) the Rangers have at AAA.

Other suitor- San Diego Padres. I’m not sure who the Padres have that I would want. They have left their farm system desolate.

[renostl]

The first order of business this offseason needs to be trying to find a trade for the 3 players with no trade clauses. It would be helpful if they could resolve these questions before the winter meetings. Knowing if these players will further define who is on the roster, where opportunities and needs are, as well as what the payroll situation will be. Personally, I would trade all 3 if I could. A few suggestions from me:

Willson Contreras- Willson would probably be the easiest of the NTC guys to trade based on production, but in the end will probably be the hardest to trade because he seems the most reluctant to waive his NTC. Willson is still a productive hitter and his defensive transition to 1B was a success. He is not at all a liability there. There are teams that need a 1B, but most of them I just can’t see Willson approving a trade to. Of course, I am just guessing because he hasn’t said much except he wants to stay here. Well, if he likes living and playing here, I’m guessing maybe he wouldn’t like living or playing in Boston, or with the Mets. In my guesswork I only came up with 2 teams I thought he might approve a trade to.

My proposal- Willson Contreras and 10M to the Texas Rangers for pitcher Alejandro Rosario and 1B/OF Abimelec Ortiz. The money takes the form of 5M salary to the Rangers in 2026 and 2027. I believe Contreras could be moved without adding any money, if the Cardinals were not concerned about a return, but should add the money because they need to get a return. Would Contreras approve? Don’t know. The Rangers are a veteran team, and a contending team. They were #1 in pitching in MLB this season, but desperately need some RH bats and got awful production from 1B. They are looking to compete and cut payroll this season. In this scenario Contreras costs them 13M. If they can make a deal before the non-tender deadline, the Rangers could safely non-tender Jake Burger, who floundered at 1B for them this season. The big get for the Cardinals is Rosario. Rosario is coming off TJ surgery and should be ready for the ’26 season. He is the Rangers #6 prospect, last pitching in AA. He has a 94-98 mph fastball and a deadly splitter. He is a 23 year-old righthander with impeccable control. He averaged 13.1 K/9 and only 1.3 BB/9. You read right- only 1.3 BB/9! He carried a 2.24 ERA and a 0.928 WHIP in the minors. The Rangers have 3 other RHP ranked ahead of him and might be willing to part with him in order to address their glaring and immediate need for a RH bat and first baseman. Ortiz is a left-handed bat with power. He hit 23 HR last year. He is not very athletic and is not a good defender. Oddly, he is the only prospect (#18) the Rangers have at AAA.

Other suitor- San Diego Padres. I’m not sure who the Padres have that I would want. They have left their farm system desolate.

You've done a bit of internet time with the 3 NTC's that you've posted.
WC seems very random. Yet if he could be dealt it changes the infield dynamic including
how the catchers may fit better.

[Goldfan]

Bloom was on with Karacker stating that the lineup was too LH, so that my factor into keeping WC

[Dicktar2023]

Rosario seems like exactly the sort of player Bloom should be targeting. If we could turn some of these veterans into prospects like that, this off-season will be a success.

[Talkin' Baseball]

Rosario seems like exactly the sort of player Bloom should be targeting. If we could turn some of these veterans into prospects like that, this off-season will be a success.

Yes, if the Cardinals could do the 3 things I suggested about the NTC guys, the would save 45M in salary this season, 25M in salary next season and have Emerson Hancock (who would be ready to join the rotation next year), Ricky Tiedemann (14.5 K/9), Alejandro Rosario (13.1 K/9), and Abimilec Ortiz without touching Donovan, Burleson, and company (which they should also do).

[Carp4Cy]

If Willson says No, and I think he will, then we need to utilize him to the max. And that’s not a bad thing. He’s a good player to have around.

[Talkin' Baseball]

If Willson says No, and I think he will, then we need to utilize him to the max. And that’s not a bad thing. He’s a good player to have around.

True. I love having Willson on the team.

[RamFan08NY]

If Willson says No, and I think he will, then we need to utilize him to the max. And that’s not a bad thing. He’s a good player to have around.

True. I love having Willson on the team.

I like him on the team too. He's the one guy who has some fire in him. You need him on a team with no other leaders.

[Talkin' Baseball]

If Willson says No, and I think he will, then we need to utilize him to the max. And that’s not a bad thing. He’s a good player to have around.

True. I love having Willson on the team.

I like him on the team too. He's the one guy who has some fire in him. You need him on a team with no other leaders.

I hear what you are saying, but right now it seems like job 1 should be adding as much talent that will be here for awhile to the roster. That's why I would trade him. I am not at all dissatisfied with the player.

[C-Unit]

Rosario seems like exactly the sort of player Bloom should be targeting. If we could turn some of these veterans into prospects like that, this off-season will be a success.

I agree. Clearing the NTC guys off the roster would be a bonus in itself, getting back more young future pieces in the fold would go a long way.

One question I have is what the market will be like for trading these guys,in what seems like a more bountiful free agent class than the last few years. Maybe our players will stand out on a different plane. Or it might be good to get out infront of the market like the OP suggests.

[brock118]

The first order of business this offseason needs to be trying to find a trade for the 3 players with no trade clauses. It would be helpful if they could resolve these questions before the winter meetings. Knowing if these players will further define who is on the roster, where opportunities and needs are, as well as what the payroll situation will be. Personally, I would trade all 3 if I could. A few suggestions from me:

Willson Contreras- Willson would probably be the easiest of the NTC guys to trade based on production, but in the end will probably be the hardest to trade because he seems the most reluctant to waive his NTC. Willson is still a productive hitter and his defensive transition to 1B was a success. He is not at all a liability there. There are teams that need a 1B, but most of them I just can’t see Willson approving a trade to. Of course, I am just guessing because he hasn’t said much except he wants to stay here. Well, if he likes living and playing here, I’m guessing maybe he wouldn’t like living or playing in Boston, or with the Mets. In my guesswork I only came up with 2 teams I thought he might approve a trade to.

My proposal- Willson Contreras and 10M to the Texas Rangers for pitcher Alejandro Rosario and 1B/OF Abimelec Ortiz. The money takes the form of 5M salary to the Rangers in 2026 and 2027. I believe Contreras could be moved without adding any money, if the Cardinals were not concerned about a return, but should add the money because they need to get a return. Would Contreras approve? Don’t know. The Rangers are a veteran team, and a contending team. They were #1 in pitching in MLB this season, but desperately need some RH bats and got awful production from 1B. They are looking to compete and cut payroll this season. In this scenario Contreras costs them 13M. If they can make a deal before the non-tender deadline, the Rangers could safely non-tender Jake Burger, who floundered at 1B for them this season. The big get for the Cardinals is Rosario. Rosario is coming off TJ surgery and should be ready for the ’26 season. He is the Rangers #6 prospect, last pitching in AA. He has a 94-98 mph fastball and a deadly splitter. He is a 23 year-old righthander with impeccable control. He averaged 13.1 K/9 and only 1.3 BB/9. You read right- only 1.3 BB/9! He carried a 2.24 ERA and a 0.928 WHIP in the minors. The Rangers have 3 other RHP ranked ahead of him and might be willing to part with him in order to address their glaring and immediate need for a RH bat and first baseman. Ortiz is a left-handed bat with power. He hit 23 HR last year. He is not very athletic and is not a good defender. Oddly, he is the only prospect (#18) the Rangers have at AAA.

Other suitor- San Diego Padres. I’m not sure who the Padres have that I would want. They have left their farm system desolate.

The only problem with the Rangers is, I don't think they are taking on anymore money. I seem to remember reading somewhere that they will not add anymore payroll for next year. Pederson just exercised his player option for $18.5 million. They are close to $200 million as of now and I don't see them adding more payroll without sending some back. That would make it a little difficult to trade with them now as I don't see much money on guys they would trade coming to St. Louis.

[Talkin' Baseball]

The first order of business this offseason needs to be trying to find a trade for the 3 players with no trade clauses. It would be helpful if they could resolve these questions before the winter meetings. Knowing if these players will further define who is on the roster, where opportunities and needs are, as well as what the payroll situation will be. Personally, I would trade all 3 if I could. A few suggestions from me:

Willson Contreras- Willson would probably be the easiest of the NTC guys to trade based on production, but in the end will probably be the hardest to trade because he seems the most reluctant to waive his NTC. Willson is still a productive hitter and his defensive transition to 1B was a success. He is not at all a liability there. There are teams that need a 1B, but most of them I just can’t see Willson approving a trade to. Of course, I am just guessing because he hasn’t said much except he wants to stay here. Well, if he likes living and playing here, I’m guessing maybe he wouldn’t like living or playing in Boston, or with the Mets. In my guesswork I only came up with 2 teams I thought he might approve a trade to.

My proposal- Willson Contreras and 10M to the Texas Rangers for pitcher Alejandro Rosario and 1B/OF Abimelec Ortiz. The money takes the form of 5M salary to the Rangers in 2026 and 2027. I believe Contreras could be moved without adding any money, if the Cardinals were not concerned about a return, but should add the money because they need to get a return. Would Contreras approve? Don’t know. The Rangers are a veteran team, and a contending team. They were #1 in pitching in MLB this season, but desperately need some RH bats and got awful production from 1B. They are looking to compete and cut payroll this season. In this scenario Contreras costs them 13M. If they can make a deal before the non-tender deadline, the Rangers could safely non-tender Jake Burger, who floundered at 1B for them this season. The big get for the Cardinals is Rosario. Rosario is coming off TJ surgery and should be ready for the ’26 season. He is the Rangers #6 prospect, last pitching in AA. He has a 94-98 mph fastball and a deadly splitter. He is a 23 year-old righthander with impeccable control. He averaged 13.1 K/9 and only 1.3 BB/9. You read right- only 1.3 BB/9! He carried a 2.24 ERA and a 0.928 WHIP in the minors. The Rangers have 3 other RHP ranked ahead of him and might be willing to part with him in order to address their glaring and immediate need for a RH bat and first baseman. Ortiz is a left-handed bat with power. He hit 23 HR last year. He is not very athletic and is not a good defender. Oddly, he is the only prospect (#18) the Rangers have at AAA.

Other suitor- San Diego Padres. I’m not sure who the Padres have that I would want. They have left their farm system desolate.

The only problem with the Rangers is, I don't think they are taking on anymore money. I seem to remember reading somewhere that they will not add anymore payroll for next year. Pederson just exercised his player option for $18.5 million. They are close to $200 million as of now and I don't see them adding more payroll without sending some back. That would make it a little difficult to trade with them now as I don't see much money on guys they would trade coming to St. Louis.

They will non-tender Adolis Garcia (12M), Jonah Heim (6M), and could non-tender Jake Burger (3.4M) if they had Contreras. There are other smaller contracts they will non-tender. They also had about 14M in free agent contracts walk. That's roughly 34M off the books. They can fit Willson in if they want to.

[Melville]

Keep.
It is his team.

[juan good eye]

Keep.
It is his team.

“His team” sucks. The former Cub needs to go yesterday for a better tomorrow.

[Talkin' Baseball]

Rosario seems like exactly the sort of player Bloom should be targeting. If we could turn some of these veterans into prospects like that, this off-season will be a success.

I agree. Clearing the NTC guys off the roster would be a bonus in itself, getting back more young future pieces in the fold would go a long way.

One question I have is what the market will be like for trading these guys,in what seems like a more bountiful free agent class than the last few years. Maybe our players will stand out on a different plane. Or it might be good to get out infront of the market like the OP suggests.

I think it is an ideal time to market these guys- the perfect storm. Most free agents will be disappointed with their market. These short term contracts for our players will be just fine.

[hmoss859]

Ship him for prospects.

Easy and obvious.