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Basil Shabazz wrote: ↑15 Dec 2025 09:25 am Don't be surprised if a team wanting Willson Contreras values him as a catcher who can hit more than an average hitting 1B. Truth is that Contreras was never a bad catcher; he surely wasn't Yadi, but he was average behind the plate at worst. An average defensive catcher with an .800 OPS is a commodity.

Basil Shabazz wrote: ↑15 Dec 2025 09:25 am Don't be surprised if a team wanting Willson Contreras values him as a catcher who can hit more than an average hitting 1B. Truth is that Contreras was never a bad catcher; he surely wasn't Yadi, but he was average behind the plate at worst. An average defensive catcher with an .800 OPS is a commodity.

ecleme22 wrote: ↑15 Dec 2025 11:42 am Well, increased versatility is always a plus. I guess it depends if WC is willing to play catcher again.

It should be noted though, WC did play a solid 1b this year. So while his offensive numbers weren’t eye popping, his solid defense helps his overall value.

OldRed wrote: ↑15 Dec 2025 11:45 am

ecleme22 wrote: ↑15 Dec 2025 11:42 am Well, increased versatility is always a plus. I guess it depends if WC is willing to play catcher again.

It should be noted though, WC did play a solid 1b this year. So while his offensive numbers weren’t eye popping, his solid defense helps his overall value.

Are you kidding. There is such a thing as insubordination. He was signed to be the catcher. And for practical purposes in my opinion that is where he should be playing.

OldRed wrote: ↑15 Dec 2025 11:45 am

ecleme22 wrote: ↑15 Dec 2025 11:42 am Well, increased versatility is always a plus. I guess it depends if WC is willing to play catcher again.

It should be noted though, WC did play a solid 1b this year. So while his offensive numbers weren’t eye popping, his solid defense helps his overall value.

Are you kidding. There is such a thing as insubordination. He was signed to be the catcher. And for practical purposes in my opinion that is where he should be playing.

ecleme22 wrote: ↑15 Dec 2025 11:57 amAnd yes, when you move a guy from catcher to a different position and I haven’t played that different position the entire year, he’s allowed to have a say so whether he wants to go back to catcher.

C-Unit wrote: ↑15 Dec 2025 14:35 pm Before we signed him I remember the Astros wanting to trade for him specifically not to play catcher (they wanted him to DH/LF if I remember right). That's just one example. Someone highlight for me the teams specifically looking for a catcher that are in a position to try Contreras back at that position. If it's a contending team, I'm not sure they'd want to go with a known weak defensive catcher. If it's a non-contender, would Contreras want to go there just to play catcher. Maybe he really wants to catch again I don't know. He also seems like he wants to do what's best for the team, at least when playing for a contender like St Louis.

Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑15 Dec 2025 14:38 pm

C-Unit wrote: ↑15 Dec 2025 14:35 pm Before we signed him I remember the Astros wanting to trade for him specifically not to play catcher (they wanted him to DH/LF if I remember right). That's just one example. Someone highlight for me the teams specifically looking for a catcher that are in a position to try Contreras back at that position. If it's a contending team, I'm not sure they'd want to go with a known weak defensive catcher. If it's a non-contender, would Contreras want to go there just to play catcher. Maybe he really wants to catch again I don't know. He also seems like he wants to do what's best for the team, at least when playing for a contender like St Louis.

Tampa Bay, Texas Rangers, and San Diego Padres.

PadsFS07 wrote: ↑15 Dec 2025 13:47 pm Contreras had a .791 OPS, wRC+ of 124 and the average 1Bman had a .744, wRC+ of 107. 11th best among qualified 1Bmen.

He’s not average.