Inside The Cardinals

Willson Contreras Reacts To Cardinals, Red Sox Blockbuster

The former St. Louis Cardinals slugger had a message for the fans...
Patrick McAvoy|
Aug 18, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras (40) circles the bases after a two-run home run by third baseman Nolan Gorman (not pictured) during the ninth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Aug 18, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras (40) circles the bases after a two-run home run by third baseman Nolan Gorman (not pictured) during the ninth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

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It has been a transformational offseason already for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Chaim Bloom took over as the team's president of baseball operations and already has traded two All-Stars away in Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras. St. Louis officially announced the Contreras trade on Monday. In exchange, the Cardinals are getting Hunter Dobbins and two pitching prospects.

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In the aftermath of the deal getting done, Contreras took to Instagram with a message thanking the fans and organization.

The Cardinals traded the slugger

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras
St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras (40) celebrates after hitting a homer in the seventh inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals, Aug. 30, 2025, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati. Cardinals won 4-2. | Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

"St. Louis, this game is a business but the relationships are real," Contreras wrote on Instagram. "I'm grateful to the Cardinals organization for the opportunity to wear this uniform. Thank you to John Mozeliak for believing in me, and to Oli Marmol for the trust and relationship. To the coaches, trainers, medical team, and clubhouse staff -- your work and support mattered every single day, and I don't take that for granted.

"And to the fans: your passion and love for this team is special. Playing in front of you is something I'll always respect and appreciate. I'm proud of the time I spent in St. Louis and thankful for the people who made it meaningful. I'll carry that with me as I move forward."

On Monday night, Bloom spoke to the media and had nothing but praise for the slugger.

"You talk about a guy who really gave everything to this place for the three years he was here," Bloom said, as transcribed by Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat.

Contreras spent three seasons with the Cardinals after coming over to town as a replacement option for Yadier Molina. The righty slugger arguably was everything the club could've hoped for and was classy along the way. St. Louis landed much-needed pitching and now Contreras will be joining a contender over in the American League.

There's still more work to do, but the Cardinals are trending in the right direction this offseason already under Bloom.

More MLB: Chaim Bloom Explains Cardinals, Red Sox Willson Contreras Trade

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Patrick McAvoy
PATRICK MCAVOY

Patrick McAvoy's experiences include local and national sports coverage at the New England Sports Network with a focus on baseball and basketball. Outside of journalism, Patrick also is pursuing an MBA at Brandeis University. After quickly rising as one of the most productive writers on the site, he expanded his reach to write for Baseball Essential, a national baseball site in Sports Illustrated Media Group. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding Inside The Cardinals, please reach out to Scott Neville: nevilles@merrimack.edu

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