2025 MLB Offseason: St. Louis Cardinals Face Decisions on First Baseman
In the wake of a turbulent 2025 MLB season, the St. Louis Cardinals face a number of crucial decisions in the closing stages. The imminent offseason holds significant challenges for incoming executive Chaim Bloom, poised to take on John Mozeliak’s role to make strategic choices in personnel. Willson Contreras, the esteemed first baseman, is one of the key decisions awaiting Bloom.
Despite Contreras possessing a no-trade clause, there is speculation that the franchise may consider alternatives. Evaluating the current roster, the Cardinals could possibly strengthen different roster areas or introduce a fresh face to first base, thus bidding farewell to the veteran. Crucial developments unfold as the Cardinals declare a roster move involving Contreras right before the final series against the Cincinnati Reds.
This recent roster shift does not impact Contreras’s standing in the upcoming offseason, however, it might signify the closure of his 2025 season. In a recent announcement, the Cardinals declared that Willson Contreras would be put on the 10-day injured list, backdated to September 16th. Simultaneously, they have introduced infielder Jose Fermin to fill his spot on the 28-man roster.
Unfortunately, Contreras has suffered a strain in his right shoulder which necessitated his placement on the injured list in the middle of September. Given the reality of just 10 games left in the season, this roster shuffle most likely means the veteran’s season has peaked. Assuming his 2025 season has indeed come to an early end, Contreras’s performance throughout the season is noteworthy.
In his 2025 stint, Contreras was able to participate in 135 games, reflected in his .257 batting average, a .344 on-base percentage, a .447 slugging percentage, and a .791 OPS – the lowest since he joined the Cardinals. He demonsrtated competence on the field registering 70 runs scored, completely 126 hits, making 31 doubles, striking one triple, hitting 20 home runs, rfailling in 80 RBIs, stealing five bases, taking 44 walks, and suffering 142 strikeouts. This tally is also simultaneously revealing of personal bests in strikeouts, RBIs, doubles, hits, and runs scored for Contreras.
Despite the majority of his career spent as catcher, Contreras fully embraced the role as the Cardinals’ first baseman this year, exhibiting a remarkable performance. Although the team’s chances at the postseason appear slim, they benefited greatly from Contreras’s output at first base. At the age of 33, Contreras commences the third year of his contract worth $87.5 million.
Set to become a free agent following the completion of the 2027 MLB season, Contreras could potentially see the Cardinals exercise their club option for the 2028 season, allowing him to honor the remainder of his contract in St. Louis. The presence of his no-trade clause affirms this possibility. However, the Cardinals might seek a workaround to this clause, potentially persuading him to agree to a trade if his game time were to decrease under Bloom’s planned roster revamp.
Playing the potential disruptor, the Cardinals aim to make their mark on the latter part of the 2025 season, despite their current circumstances. However, they will have to do so without the assistance of Contreras. Marking his placement on the injured list and probable absence for the rest of the 2025 regular season, the Cardinals will have to adapt and move forward without their longstanding first baseman.