Catcher Willson Contreras wanted the St. Louis Cardinal so badly, that he was actually willing to turn down more lucrative offers, according to his agent.
The St. Louis Cardinals had the unenviable task of trying to find a new catcher to replace the retiring Yadier Molina. The Cardinals didn’t have to look far, as they focused on Chicago Cubs catcher Wilson Contreras, who was the best option available in free agency. At the time of the winter meetings, the two sides had agreed terms on a five-year, $87.5 million contract.
In Ben Fredrickson’s column for St.
Wilson Contreras was willing to turn down more money to sign with the Cardinals
“They knew Wilson as a player,” said customer Mijares. “They wanted to know Wilson as a person, who he really was. And Wilson had the same feeling. He knew the organization, but he needed to know more to go there. That meeting was very important, to take both of us to the next step. After that, Wilson told me, Because he liked what they explained about the organization and the role he would play here, he said, “Jose,” he said, “I know other teams might try to offer us, more money, anything, but it happens. I want to be a Cardinal. Do it. This is the place for me.” “.
That meeting between the Cardinals and Contreras took place in late November, and the rest is history.
Fredrickson wrote in the column that Contreras had already accepted the deal from the Cardinals before one of the three other teams sent their final bid.
Contreras was a potential trade deadline target last season, but the Cubs were unable to find a deal they felt was satisfactory. They placed a qualifying offer of $19.65 million on Contreras, which he rejected. With Contreras signed with the Cardinals, the team forfeited its 2023 second round selection.
243 batting average, 0.349 on-base percentage, .466 slugging percentage, 22 home runs, 55 RBI, 65 runs scored and 101 hits. He was selected to the All-Star Game for the third time last season, too.
Having started his career with the Cubs, Contreras will now be a mainstay for the Cardinals, taking over from legend Vy Molina.
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