Willson Contreras to switch positions in 2025

The Cardinals have informed Willson Contreras they would like him to change positions in 2025.

Speaking with reporters at the General Managers Meetings in San Antonio, Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said the club approached Contreras about switching from catcher to first base and designated hitter. Contreras was open to the idea, Mozeliak said.

Contreras signed a five-year, $87.5 million free-agent deal in December 2022 to succeed legendary catcher Yadier Molina. The three-time All-Star has expressed an interest in remaining with the Cardinals throughout an upcoming rebuild, as the franchise shifts its focus toward young players.

“Basically, our medical team recommended it,” Mozeliak said. “In terms of if he really wants to extend his career, they think that would be best for him. Catching is, obviously, a demanding position. He missed a lot of time this past year because of injuries. One, because of being a catcher, and, one, when he was hit by a pitch, which was random.

“I’d say it would be very unlikely to see [Contreras] behind the plate. But it is a useful thing to have. We anticipated carrying three catchers regardless, but then we did have the conversation with him, understanding that for his career we think it would be best for him to move over to first base and DH.”

Contreras, 32, hasn’t played first base in an MLB game since 2019 with the Cubs. He has played 11 games at first base, starting four of them. He remains potent offensively, posting a 2024 slash line of .262/.380/.468 in 84 games, with 15 home runs and a career-best 136 OPS+.

With much uncertainty surrounding their revenue streams for the season ahead, largely because of Diamond Sports’ pending bankruptcy court case that could drastically reduce TV rights fees, the Cardinals have announced plans to trim payroll and shift their focus to their young core.

With Masyn Winn, Brendan Donovan, Alec Burleson, Jordan Walker, Nolan Gorman, Thomas Saggese, Andre Pallante, Michael McGreevy and Matthew Liberatore taking center stage, the Cardinals are contemplating trading high-priced veterans Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray, Miles Mikolas, Steven Matz and Contreras. Arenado (owed $74 million), Gray (owed $65 million), Mikolas (owed $17.7 million for 2025) and Contreras (owed $59.5 million) have full no-trade clauses in their contracts, meaning they would have to approve any deals to other teams.

One of those veteran players has informed the Cardinals that he would like to play elsewhere instead of going through a rebuilding period, Mozeliak said, without naming that player.

“I’ve spoken with everyone, and most have indicated that they want to be a part of this,” said Mozeliak, who plans to cede his duties as president of baseball operations to adviser Chaim Bloom in 2026. “I have had an individual ask me to explore a few things, so we will try to do that. But I suspect that that’s for between now and Winter Meetings. … I’d prefer to not name that [player] for leverage in terms of trying to do something with him [in a trade].”

Contreras caught just 51 games in 2024 and was the DH in 33 games. He broke a bone in his left forearm and broke the middle finger on his right hand. Tasked with getting his body lower and closer to the plate in an attempt to earn more strikes for Cardinals pitchers, Contreras injured his left forearm when he got too close to the plate and was struck by the bat of Mets slugger J.D. Martinez.

Behind the plate, Contreras threw out 11 of 48 baserunners attempting to steal, committed three errors and had four passed balls.

Moving Contreras opens time for Iván Herrera and Pedro Pagés, who split time at catcher in 2024 when Contreras was injured.

Herrera, 24, was the Cardinals Minor League Hitter of the Year in 2023. In the Majors this year, he slashed .301/.372/.428 in 72 games, with an .800 OPS, five homers, five stolen bases and an OPS+ of 124. Pagés, 26, slashed just .238/.281/.376 with a .657 OPS in 68 games, but he hit seven home runs and drew rave reviews with his receiving of pitches and his handling of pitchers. Herrera threw out just four of 59 runners trying to steal; Pagés threw out 14 of 75.

“As we look into the future, we feel like this gives us the best opportunity to give these younger players that chance,” Mozeliak said.