MLB Rumors: Surprise Team With Interest In Contreras

The Chicago Cubs have clearly decided to move on from their longtime star catcher Willson Contreras. They made no effort to work out an extension before he hit free agency this month despite his desire to stay. Now, it appears their most heated rival, the St. Louis Cardinals, are ready to make a big push to land him.

MLB Insider Jon Heyman reports that "St. Louis is among teams at the forefront of talks" to sign the 3-time All-Star backstop.

With the rivalry between the two teams, needless to say, some Cards fans are appalled at the possibility. 

I hope the Cardinals spend money this off-season. A lot of it. I hope they don’t spend a dime on Willson Contreras.

— stlCupofJoe (@stlCupofJoe) November 10, 2022

The Cards, of course, are in the market for a new No. 1 catcher with the legendary Yadier Molina riding off into retirement after 19 years. But the choice of Contreras could be viewed as a strange one, and not only because of the hard feelings between the Cubs and Cards over the years. 

The other issue is that St. Louis has always prioritized defense, with Gold Glove candidates usually littered around the diamond (see: Arenado, Nolan, and Goldschmidt, Paul, for example). 

Despite his reputation as one of the best offensive catchers in baseball, Contreras isn't known as the most sound catcher defensively. It seems like an odd fit. 

Nevertheless, the rumors persist that the Cardinals "look like a potential landing spot for the former Cub," as Heyman notes. Other suitors are said to be the Houston Astros and Detroit Tigers.

Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports