Catcher Willson Contreras agreed to a five-year, $87.5 million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, ESPN reported Wednesday.
The Athletic initially reported the sides were “closing in” on a deal, while MLB Network noted that talks centered on a five-year contract.
Contreras will succeed longtime catcher Yadier Molina behind the plate for the Cardinals. Molina, a 10-time All-Star and nine-time Gold Glove winner, retired after this past season.
Contreras, 30, declined the one-year qualifying offer of $19.65 million from the Chicago Cubs in October, making him a free agent.
He reached the All-Star Game for the third time last season while batting .243 with 22 homers and 55 RBIs.
Contreras also was a key player on the Cubs’ World Series-winning club in 2016 as he hit .282 in his first major league season.
Contreras has topped 20 homers four times in his seven big league seasons. He has a .256 average with 117 homers and 365 RBIs in 734 career games.
–Field Level Media
Addison Barger hit three doubles, drove in two runs and made one of Toronto’s several sterling defensive plays as the Blue Jays defeated the host Seattle Mariners 6-3 on Friday…
Gavin Sheets knocked in four runs, Martin Maldonado launched a homer and the visiting San Diego Padres became the latest team to batter the Colorado Rockies’ pitching staff during a…
After meeting with Boston Red Sox principal owner John Henry, Rafael Devers remained at designated hitter for Friday night’s road game against the Kansas City Royals. Devers, a three-time All-Star…
Padres build 11-run lead, withstand Rockies’ late rally
Unhappy at 1B notion, Red Sox’s Rafael Devers meets with owner
Royals outlast Red Sox in 12th for 7th straight win
Hunter Brown fans nine as Astros shut out Reds
Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM
