In another move to accelerate their rebuild and prioritize long-term flexibility, the St. Louis Cardinals have traded veteran catcher/first baseman Willson Contreras to the Boston Red Sox for a trio of young right-handed pitchers: Hunter Dobbins, Yhoiker Fajardo, and Blake Aita.
This deal marks the second significant transaction with Boston this offseason, following the Cardinals’ trade of starting pitcher Sonny Gray to the Red Sox last month. With Contreras now departing, St. Louis continues its offseason focus on shedding veteran salary and acquiring cost-controlled talent to replenish a farm system in need of high-upside arms.
Contreras, who turns 34 in May, leaves St. Louis after four seasons. In 2025, he delivered one of his best campaigns, appearing in 135 games and hitting .280/.370/.480 with 31 doubles, 20 home runs, and 80 RBIs. While his offensive contributions were valuable, the Cardinals determined that moving him now would allow the team to capitalize on his remaining value while opening up playing time for younger players and easing future payroll commitments.
The trade includes a modest restructuring of Contreras’ contract to facilitate the deal. Prior to the trade, his remaining contract called for:
- 2026: $18 million
- 2027: $18.5 million
- 2028: $17.5 million club option ($5 million buyout)
Total guaranteed money was $41.5 million. After the trade, the terms were adjusted to:
- 2026: $18 million
- 2027: $17 million
- 2028: $20 million club option ($7.5 million buyout)
The Cardinals agreed to retain $8 million of the contract—$4 million in each of 2026 and 2027—reducing Boston’s financial obligation to $34.5 million over the next two years (approximately $17.25 million AAV). The slight increase in total guarantee reflects a $1 million trade bonus for Contreras.
With the trade complete, the Cardinals’ projected competitive balance tax payroll drops to approximately $126 million, ranking 21st in MLB. This provides the club with significant runway to pursue additional moves this winter, including potential trades of third baseman Nolan Arenado and utility infielder Brendan Donovan (arbitration control through 2027).
In exchange for Contreras, St. Louis adds three promising right-handed pitchers, each offering different levels of upside and proximity to the majors.
Hunter Dobbins, RHP
The most advanced of the three, Dobbins is a 26-year-old right-hander who has climbed quickly through the Red Sox system since being drafted in the eighth round out of Texas Tech in 2021. He had Tommy John surgery in college and missed his junior season. Standing 6-foot-3, he features a deep pitch mix headlined by a 95-98 mph four-seam fastball (touching 99) with gyro spin and life. He complements it with a sinker, cutter, slider, sweeper, curve, and splitter, showing the ability to generate whiffs across multiple offerings. In 2025, he posted a 3.45 ERA between Double-A and Triple-A, striking out 112 in 104 innings. He made his MLB debut in April 2025. As a rookie, he posted a 4-1 record with a 4.13 ERA across 13 appearances (mostly as a starter) before suffering a season-ending ACL tear in July. Dobbins is viewed as a potential mid-rotation starter or late-inning reliever with polish and command ahead of his raw stuff.
Hunter Dobbins: 2025 Red Sox Highlights & Rising Season Impact
Hunter Dobbins is quickly establishing himself as one of the most intriguing pitching prospects in the Boston Red Sox organization, and the 2025 season is shaping up to be a major chapter in his development. This highlight video showcases Dobbins doing what he does best-attacking hitters, commanding the strike zone, and piling up strikeouts with confidence and control.
Yhoiker Fajardo, RHP
At 19 years old, Fajardo is the highest-upside arm in the package. The 6-foot-3 Venezuelan international signee has shown significant growth since entering the system, now sitting 93-95 mph (touching 96-97) with sink and run on his two-seam fastball. His four-pitch mix includes a slider, curve, and changeup, all of which project as average or better with further development. Fajardo earned a promotion to Low-A Salem in 2025 after a strong DSL stint, demonstrating poise and athleticism. Scouts see him as a long-term starter with mid-rotation potential if his command and secondary pitches continue to progress.
Red Sox 18-year-old fast rising prospect Yhoiker Fajardo strikes out the first 5 batters of the game
From the game on 08-24-2025 playing for the Salem Red Sox (Single-A)
Blake Aita, RHP
A 22-year-old sixth-round pick from the 2024 draft out of Kennesaw State, Aita brings bullpen upside with a sturdy 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame. His fastball sits 92-95 mph with good carry, and his 85-89 mph changeup has proven effective against lefties. He mixes in a slider and curve but is projected primarily as a reliever due to his two standout pitches and delivery. In 2025, he advanced from Low-A to High-A, posting a 3.52 FIP with 45 strikeouts and just nine walks in 40 innings at the higher level. Aita could reach the majors as a high-leverage arm within the next two to three years.
Red Sox prospect Blake Aita throws 5 no-hit innings in his 1st Minor League Game – Full highlights
04-07-2025 Pitching for Single-A Salem Aita was a 6th round draft pick in the 2024 MLB Draft out of Kennesaw State by the Red Sox and is currently ranked as the #39 overall prospect according to SoxProspects.com.
