Willson Contreras has spent most of his career living through one of the greatest baseball rivalries as he had 10 years of experience between the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals.
Now he will face baseball’s biggest rivalry after becoming the new Boston Red Sox first baseman and cleanup hitter. He is excited to face the New York Yankees in his new uniform. He has done it in the past, but now he will do it at Fenway Park.
“When I play against the Yankees with the Cubs or St. Louis my mindset was different,» said Contreras in a Zoom presser on Wednesday. «I was like we have to win. I know the Yankee are really a good team and they have good players, I am not coming to Boston to like the Yankees. That’s not gonna happen. They probably will start hating me when we play against each other. I am gonna play with fire. I am gonna play with emotions and show them that we can win.»
Willson Contreras was traded by the St. Louis Cardinals later in December for three pitchers. His former team also sent cash considerations to the Red Sox to help pay part of his remaining contract.
“I never thought coming to Boston in my life but when I went to my first free agency it was one of my landing spots,» Contreras added. «It didn’t work, but now we are here and I am excited for this new opportunity. I can’t wait to get back to the field with the guys.”
And he is so excited to join his new team that he is willing to help behind the dish if Cora needs him there.
“They haven’t talk to me about catching at all, but if the team needs it down the road. We have an emergency for a day or two or whatever, I’ll do it,» Contreras said on Wednesday. «I am team player first. I am not that guy that has ego and say I got move to first base and I am not gonna catch anymore. And I am care here because I know I can help this team in any way to win.”
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«I wouldn’t say that was easy for me, because every position has a secret,» said Willson Contreras about his position change in 2025. «I would say, I accepted the challenge. And I was willing to listen and to accept tips and I did my best.”
Photo: @Cardinals
