Three years in the past when Willson Contreras hit free company after seven seasons with the Chicago Cubs, the three-time All-Star thought of Boston one in every of his most popular touchdown spots. Having grown up watching guys like Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz, the thought of following of their footsteps had apparent enchantment.
Contreras finally wound up signing a five-year take care of the St. Louis Cardinals, however as destiny would have it, Contreras would ultimately discover his method to Boston anyway.
Final month the Crimson Sox acquired Contreras from the Cardinals in trade for right-handers Hunter Dobbins, Yhoiker Fajardo and Blake Aita. The 33-year-old ought to instantly slot in as Boston’s new beginning first baseman, and Crimson Sox supervisor Alex Cora indicated this previous weekend that he sees Contreras because the membership’s clean-up hitter.
Chatting with reporters Wednesday for the primary time for the reason that commerce, Contreras stated he was glad to waive his no-trade clause and is worked up for the chance to play in Boston.
“The historical past that the Crimson Sox have and I believe it’s actually a dream come true for any Latin participant who grew up watching Boston,” Contreras stated. “At this level in my profession I used to be actually stunned about this transfer. I by no means thought of coming to Boston in my life however after I went to my first free company it was one in every of my touchdown spots. It didn’t work, however now we’re right here and I’m actually excited for this new alternative and I can’t wait to get again on the sector with the fellows.”
A longtime catcher, Contreras efficiently transitioned to first base final season and rapidly established himself defensively on the place. He has additionally ranked among the many recreation’s prime hitters all through his profession, and since 2022 he’s one in every of 11 gamers to publish 4 consecutive seasons with 120 OPS+, which equates to twenty% higher than league common manufacturing.
Final season he batted .257 with 20 residence runs, 80 RBI and a .791 OPS.
Past his talents on the sector, Contreras can be identified for being a high-energy participant who isn’t afraid to point out his feelings on the sector. Contreras described himself as “a gamer” who gained’t draw back from rubbing different gamers the flawed manner.
“If you happen to play towards me and also you don’t like me, that’s nice with me, however sooner or later if we play collectively you’re going to like me,” Contreras stated. “I play to win, I don’t play to fiddle, I don’t play to make buddies on different groups.”
After spending his complete profession enjoying on either side of the Cubs-Cardinals rivalry, Contreras can be trying ahead to getting into the Crimson Sox-Yankees combine.
“The Yankees are a very good crew and so they have good gamers, however I’m not coming to Boston simply to love the Yankees, as a result of that’s not going to occur,” Contreras stated. “They’re in all probability going to start out hating me each time we play towards one another, however I’m going to play with hearth, I’m going to play with feelings and present them that we will win.”
Contreras is aware of what it takes to win. As a rookie he performed a outstanding function on the Cubs’ historic 2016 World Collection championship crew, which ended the franchise’s 108-year title drought. So far as his new crew goes, Contreras stated he believes the Crimson Sox aren’t far-off from profitable a World Collection themselves, and he hopes to do no matter he can to assist get the membership over the hump.
“I’m actually excited for the brand new crew, I believe now we have a very good lineup, pitching employees is absolutely good and the relievers are nice,” Contreras stated. “We simply must preserve enjoying with the identical emotion, the identical power day in and day trip, maintain all of the little particulars that we’ll have to regulate by the season, and a very powerful factor for me is to play with coronary heart.”
