For the first time in his nine-year career, Willson Contreras will be playing a position other than catcher in 2025. The St. Louis Cardinals plan to move him to first base. It’s a move aimed at keeping him healthy and keeping his bat in the lineup in the wake of former MVP Paul Goldschmidt’s departure. The organization has confidence the move will be successful.
“He’s working hard at it. He is passionate about being a very good first baseman,” Cardinal’s manager Oliver Marmol told reporters at this week’s ‘Winter Warmup’ event.
Willson Contreras Feels Good About the Move
The three-time All-Star catcher has only played first base in 11 games in the majors and none of those appearances have occurred in the past five seasons. That hasn’t fazed Contreras, who told reporters he remains confident in his athletic ability.
“The transition is not going to be too difficult, but I don’t want to say it’s going to be easy for me,” Contreras told reporters at the ‘Winter Warmup’ this week. “It’s a new position for me, and when the game starts everything changes. I think I’m a good athlete and I think I’m going to be a good first baseman.”
Contreras has been collaborating with Cardinal’s first base coach, Stubby Clapp, and third-base coach, Jose Oquendo, during the offseason. They have focused on improving his footwork around the bag and helping him slow down the game. Contreras mentioned that he has been learning from both of them to enhance his skills at the position.
“Reports were really, really good,” Marmol said about the work Contreras had been doing at the Cardinal’s spring training facility in Jupiter, Florida.
Contreras says he has nothing but confidence in the move. He told reporters he’s happy to do it to give the Cardinals their best possible lineup and get playing time for catchers Ivan Herrera and Pedro Pages.
“I’m not hesitating or doubting myself to play first base,” Contreras said. “And my offense, I never doubt my offense.”
Managing Contreras’ Workload for Optimal Health
Contreras hasn’t caught more than 100 games since turning 30. His 2023 season was cut short by injuries, including a fractured forearm sustained when J.D. Martinez’s bat shattered and hit him early in the year.
“I think looking back through my career, part of my career is never being healthy at all,” Contreras said. “I was looking to stay healthy and help the team in any way I can.”
In 84 games during the 2024 season, Contreras delivered a strong performance at the plate, slashing .262/.380/.468. He also provided significant power, hitting 15 home runs and driving in 36 runs. When healthy and in the lineup, Contreras was undoubtedly the Cardinals’ most formidable bat last season.
“The key to all of this is keeping him healthy,” Marmol said. “A healthy Contreras in the lineup every day is a better Cardinals team, and that’s why we’re making the move.”
Contreras Excited About Direction of the Team
The Cardinals are embarking on a new era. They’re prioritizing the development of young talent and streamlining their payroll. Several veteran players have departed via free agency, and the team is actively exploring trade options for star third-baseman Nolan Arenado. Amidst this transformation, Contreras has expressed his commitment to the organization, indicating to management that he wants to remain with the team and contribute to its rebuilding efforts.
“It’s too easy for me to request a trade and be a coward and leave everything behind,” Contreras told reporters. “But I like challenges, and I like the team, and I love the guys.”
Contreras said he wants to leave the organization better than when he arrived. Marmol told reporters his willingness to change positions illustrates how committed he is to being a part of the organization’s new focus.
“His exact words to me were ‘this is how much I care about this team,’” Marmol said. “He’s willing to do just about anything you ask him to do. He wants to be here, he wants to be a part of what we’re doing.
Last season, whether he was in the lineup or rehabbing his injury, Contreras proved to be a leader for the Cardinals. His leadership is something the young players are excited to have back.
Main Photo: © Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
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