The St. Louis Cardinals checked in on Cubs catcher Willson Contreras at the trade deadline and are expected to talk with him this winter. The 30-year-old Contreras can become a free agent after the 2022 season.
Contreras is a homegrown Cub who developed into a three-time All-Star, helped the team win the World Series in 2016, and is now one of their clubhouse leaders. That has made Contreras a well-loved local favorite.Children’s Washington Nationals jersey
As for the Cardinals, the Cubs’ most hated MLB rivals, they are looking for a new backstop with Yadier Molina set to retire after the year (though Andrew Knizner has already gotten a majority of the starts at catcher this season).chicago white sox jersey
Wittenmyer also says that Contreras is expected to receive (and ultimately decline) a qualifying offer from the Cubs, which would make him free to sign with any team (provided that team gives the Cubs draft-pick compensation). If Contreras does decide to leave Chicago, he will not be the only remnant of that 2016 World Series team to do so.
