Willson Contreras has a bit of recommendation for Purple Sox opponents: Run at your personal danger.
“If you happen to’re going to attempt to steal, you must get an excellent leap, as a result of he has a extremely good arm,” Contreras stated with a chuckle. He put further emphasis on ‘have.’
The ‘he’ in query is catcher Carlos Narváez.
Contreras gushed about his new Purple Sox teammate on Wednesday morning when he spoke to the Boston media for the primary time since being traded from the St. Louis Cardinals final month.
“He’s actually quick behind the plate,” Contreras, a catcher for the primary 9 of his 10 MLB seasons, stated of Narváez. “He’s actually good. Watching him catching, the way in which he calls the sport and the way in which interacts with the pitching employees, is actually spectacular.”
The Purple Sox acquired Narváez from the New York Yankees finally offseason’s MLB Winter Conferences. His rookie season was equal components whirlwind and breakout; after making the group out of spring coaching, he stepped into the on a regular basis position when fellow catcher Connor Wong suffered a left pinky fracture on April 7.
By the point Wong returned on Could 2, Narváez had confirmed himself too integral on each side of the ball to return to a backup position. Wong caught 54 video games after coming off the injured listing; Narváez caught 108.
“It looks like he was ready for this chance to indicate as much as his door, and he took benefit of it,” Contreras stated. “I feel all of us are excited for having Carlos Narváez behind the plate.”
Narváez and Contreras hail from Venezuela. They’ve been texting since they turned teammates, Narváez stated throughout Saturday’s Fenway Fest, the place he spoke about how excited he is to play with Contreras.
“That’s a man I’ve been seeing because the World Sequence again then in ‘16,” Narváez stated of Contreras, who as a rookie helped the Chicago Cubs finish their 108-year championship drought. “I do know he’s gonna contribute (in a) massive means for us. That’s a bat that we wanted.”
Contreras agreed to waive his no-trade clause for the Purple Sox, who despatched the Cardinals money and three pitchers, rookie Hunter Dobbins and prospects Yhoiker Fajardo and Blake Aita.
It’s unknown if Contreras will get again behind the dish for the Purple Sox after changing into the Cardinals’ on a regular basis first baseman final yr.
Manning first 120 occasions, together with 119 begins and 101 full video games, was actually an adjustment. Contreras had made 774 catching appearances between his ‘16 debut and the tip of ‘24, and solely three begins and 11 whole appearances at first base, all previous to 2020.
“I wouldn’t say that it was straightforward for me, as a result of each place has their very own secrets and techniques,” Contreras stated. “However I accepted the problem. I took it as a problem for me, and I do know that I did my finest final yr.”
Contreras ranked within the 77th MLB percentile in Fielding Run Worth and ninetieth in Outs Above Common, together with his six OAA fourth-best amongst all first baseman. He made 9 errors, one shy of Boston’s whole on the place. As spectacular as final yr was, he’s dedicated to persevering with to enhance.
“It’s a extremely tough place, since you’re going to should study the angles, the right way to get to first base, how far you’re enjoying, the place you’re going to be enjoying with the shift, who’s hitting, who’s gradual, who’s quick, so there’s numerous questions,” Contreras stated. “While you’re keen to pay attention, keen to take ideas, the whole lot comes simpler.”
“I feel yearly is a brand new alternative to maintain getting higher, and daily is a brand new alternative to maintain getting higher,” he continued. “If you happen to don’t need to get higher, meaning, I feel, you must – you’ll go away from the sport. It is a sport of problem, this can be a sport of failure … and I’m right here for that.”
The Purple Sox hope Contreras is usually a stabilizing power at first base, which has modified arms numerous occasions within the final half-decade. Between 2001-18, the Purple Sox had 14 seasons during which a primary baseman performed at the very least 100 video games. Within the final 5 seasons, a Purple Sox first baseman has reached 100 video games twice, they usually have had three seasons during which a minimal of eight males performed first at the very least as soon as.
Contreras is keen to place his catcher’s masks on once more, too.
“They haven’t talked to me about catching in any respect,” Contreras stated, “but when the group wants it like, down the street, and now we have an emergency for a day or two, no matter, I’ll do it, as a result of I’m a group participant first.
“I wouldn’t say no, as a result of I’m not that man that has ego and says, ‘Oh no, I acquired moved to first base, I’m not going to catch anymore.’ No. I got here right here as a result of I do know that I may help the group any means I can to win.”
