The Boston Red Sox have sent shockwaves through the league, officially acquiring three-time All-Star Willson Contreras from the St. Louis Cardinals. In a pre-Christmas splash finalized today, December 22, 2025, the Red Sox secured the powerful right-handed bat they’ve been desperate for to anchor their infield.+1
The trade details have rocked social media, with the Red Sox sending three right-handed pitchers to St. Louis:
- Hunter Dobbins (RHP, major-league ready)
- Yhoiker Fajardo (RHP prospect)
- Blake Aita (RHP prospect)
To facilitate the deal, the Cardinals are sending $8,000,000 to Boston to cover part of Contreras’ remaining contract. Contreras, who transitioned to a full-time first baseman in 2025 with elite results (91st-percentile range), waived his no-trade clause after the Red Sox added a $1,000,000 bonus to his 2028 buyout.+1
THE BREGMAN FACTOR: A Reunion Hanging by a Thread?
While the Contreras move solidifies first base, it has thrown the Alex Bregman sweepstakes into total chaos. Sources confirm that while Boston remains “heavily engaged” with their former star third baseman, the competition has reached a fever pitch.
- The Blue Jays: The defending AL champions are reportedly making a “massive push” for Bregman, valuing his leadership as the missing piece for their 2026 World Series run.
- The Diamondbacks: Arizona has emerged as a dangerous “dark horse,” with Jon Heyman reporting they are aggressively circling the All-Star to fill their vacancy at the hot corner.
- The Cubs: Chicago remains in the shadows, having already held a video meeting with Bregman’s agent, Scott Boras.
Insiders suggest that the $34,500,000 commitment to Contreras won’t stop the Red Sox from spending, but the arrival of a high-priced righty bat may shift their leverage. For fans in Boston, the dream of a Devers-Bregman-Contreras “Infield of Dreams” is still alive—but only if Craig Breslow can win the most expensive bidding war of the winter.
