The Boston Red Sox made another offseason splash, acquiring 1B Willson Contreras from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for RHP Hunter Dobbins, RHP Yhoiker Fajardo, & RHP Blake Aita.

Contreras posted one of his best overall seasons in 2025, compiling 31 doubles, 20 homers, & 80 RBIs in 135 games for St. Louis, and now figures to slot into the heart of a young and talented Boston lineup.

Contractually, the Red Sox made a few alterations to Contreras’ contract per the move.

Before the Trade
2026: $18M
2027: $18.5M
2028: $17.5M club option ($5M buyout)
This represented a $41.5M cash guarantee.

After the Trade
2026: $18M
2027: $17M
2028: $20M club option ($7.5M buyout)
Now a $42.5M guarantee, with $1M added as a “trade bonus”.

St. Louis also agreed to retain $8M of salary per the trade, $4M in each of 2026 and 2027. This puts the Red Sox on the hook for $34.5M guaranteed over the next two seasons, representing a $17.25M luxury tax salary.

With Contreras now in the fold Boston’s projected Opening Day CBT payroll rises to nearly $235M, 8th in MLB and about $9M under the first threshold.

For St. Louis, this represents the second big player moved this offseason, with SP Sonny Gray moved to Boston nearly a month ago. It is widely expected that the Cardinals continue to pursue offseason trades for 3B Nolan Arenado (2 yrs, $37M) and UTIL Brendan Donovan (arbitration control through 2027). St. Louis is in a salary-purge window, looking to acquire as much as, cost-controlled talent as possible to replenish the system for a quick and successful rebuild.

At present, the Cardinals are projected to hold a $126M CBT payroll, 21st in MLB.

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