Big Trade Sees Red Sox Land 3-Time All-Star Slugger

The Boston Red Sox lost out on the Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso sweepstakes, but they finally got what they hope is the man who will solidify their batting order. The BoSox have acquired three-time all-star first baseman Willson Contreras from the St. Louis Cardinals.

Red Sox reportedly acquire 1B Willson Contreras from the Cardinals, per multiple reports including MLB's @Feinsand. pic.twitter.com/Ccwzumx7y8
— MLB (@MLB) December 22, 2025

The deal sees the Red Sox get Contreras plus $8 million to cover part of his remaining $41.5 million in salary, while the Cardinals receive right-handed pitchers Hunter Dobbins, Yhoiker Fajardo (Boston’s No. 23 prospect), and Blake Aita.

Contreras had resisted waiving his no-trade clause for the past year or two, after signing his five-year, $87.5 million contract with the Cardinals before the 2023 season. After spending the first nine years of his career as a catcher (and earning three All-Star nods), he shifted to first base full-time in 2025. He posted his sixth 20-home run season, and a career-best 31 doubles and 80 RBIs.

Dobbins made his major league debut for the BoSox in 2025, and was 4-1 with a 4.13 in 13 games (11 starts) before tearing the ACL in his right knee in July.

The hard-throwing Fajardo, 19, pitched in the Rookie and Single-A levels in 2025. He posted a 2.25 ERA while striking out 83 in 72 innings. He did not surrender a single home run. He immediately soars to No. 9 on the Cardinals' prospects list.