Red Sox Expected To Halt Trade Talks For All-Star After Reported Willson Contreras Deal

The Boston Red Sox’s reported Willson Contreras acquisition could eliminate another potential trade.

As first reported Sunday night, the St. Louis Cardinals are sending Contreras to Boston for a package led by starting pitcher Hunter Dobbins. The Red Sox landed a considerable upgrade at first base, but that will reportedly lead them to stop pursuing another All-Star infielder.

The Red Sox are expected to end talks with the Arizona Diamondbacks for Ketel Marte, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. Boston will pay $32.5 million of Contreras’s remaining $40.5 million salary over the next two seasons.

That cost may discourage Boston from also chasing Marte, who has five years worth $92 million (not including escalators and a $11.5 million player option for 2031) left on his contract. The Red Sox may also not want to move more young talent to acquire the 32-year-old after trading for Contreras, who turns 34 in May.

Boston’s lineup would look nice with both players, but Contreras delivers a significant boost on his own. The former catcher hit .257/.344/.447 with 20 home runs in a career-high 563 plate appearances last season.

Contreras has posted an above-average weighted runs created plus in each season of his 10-year career and made thunderous contact with a career-best 48.9 hard-hit percentage and 13.8 percent barrel rate in 2025.

Second base remains a question mark for the Red Sox, but they have internal options.

Ceddanne Rafaela saw some time there last summer. Marcelo Mayer could move to second if the Red Sox re-sign Alex Bregman, or they could hope Kristian Campbell makes enough strides offensively and defensively to earn the starting job this spring.