After two challenging seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, Willson Contreras will no longer be catching in 2025. Following a switch to designated hitter early in his Cardinals tenure due to unmet defensive standards, the All-Star is set to take over first base from Paul Goldschmidt, as reported by Jesse Rogers. With the GM meetings underway, Cardinals fans can expect more updates on the team’s direction this offseason.
According to Rogers’ report, Contreras moving to first base signals that Goldschmidt may need to look for opportunities with another team. However, this change could maintain the Cardinals’ offensive output at first base, provided Contreras stays on for 2025. How Contreras adapts to first base defensively will be a key storyline, given Goldschmidt’s four Gold Glove awards.
Regarding Contreras’s future with the team, it seems unlikely he’ll be traded this offseason, even though he holds more trade value as a catcher. Cardinals’ President John Mozeliak noted that Contreras wants to stay in St. Louis and has a full no-trade clause. Health has been a concern, as Contreras faced two significant injuries this season, but moving to first could help increase his availability. Before his injury, Contreras was having a standout season offensively, posting a .262/.380/.468 slash line and a career-high 136 OPS+ in just 84 games.
Contreras’ offensive skills justify his $18 million annual salary, making critiques of the Cardinals’ decision appear misplaced. While the handling of his catching duties has been debated, the shift to first base seems sensible for both him and the team.
According to Katie Woo, the Cardinals have decided, along with Contreras, to make this move in the interest of his health and career longevity, with Mozeliak noting it’s “unlikely” he’ll catch in 2025. This opens up more playing time for the promising catching duo of Iván Herrera and Pedro Pagés, with Herrera expected to assume regular duties. Pagés took on most of the playing time last season due to his defensive strengths, but Herrera’s development suggests he’s ready for a larger role.
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These shifts hint at the Cardinals’ future approach: Herrera as the primary catcher, with Contreras anchoring first base during the team’s “reset.” How this impacts Luken Baker and Alec Burleson’s expected first base platoon remains uncertain, but both could see regular time at DH. More details are anticipated in the coming weeks.
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