Trading Willson Contreras, like Ryan Helsley and Sonny Gray, will be tough but necessary business

In a different universe, Contreras would retire a Cardinal.

For the record, Willson Contreras being traded this offseason is more of a possibility than a given. It makes too much sense to disregard, but hurts a little at the same time.

In his Sunday column, St. Louis Post Dispatch writer Ben Hochman (he’s quite good at his job) made a point that trading Contreras would be wise for a team in rebuilding mode. You can compare the case to my desire to keep Ryan Helsley, even if it makes little sense for a possibly not-good Cardinals team to retain a double-digit collecting closer. The great P.J. “mang” had a great comment stating such when I chose Hels Bells over Sonny Gray, and he’s not wrong.

Contreras, like Helsley, is expendable for the sole reason of the return that would come St. Louis’s way in a deal. Without a pair of freak injuries, he could have contended for the league MVP due to his robust offense and improved defense. The guy who was once cast out as a scapegoat for problematic rotation honed his skills since joining the Cardinals. Ivan Herrera may be a nice hitter, but he couldn’t throw out your mother at second base. Even Mike Piazza whispers, “I’m better than that,” when watching Herrera catch.

Contreras did provide a strong opening season in St. Louis, proving why he is one of the better-hitting catchers in the game. His reasonable contract and a swing that seems to stay consistent as he ages gives other teams a fine reason to want that in their clubhouse. His fiery emotion and positive attitude would be missed wherever it left.

Just ask Cubs fans and players. They miss that fire and offensive output right now, as they watch with the Cardinals as the Yankees await an N.L. counterpart in the World Series. Contreras would make any team better. In 2019, he finished with an .888 OPS, a strong mark. After a couple more pedestrian finishes, he collected an .815 OPS with the 2022 Cubs.

Since coming to St. Louis, Contreras’s OPS has risen from .826 in 2023 to .848 last season. Albeit only 209 games played in those two seasons, but I’ll place part of the blame on a couple rare broken bone injuries. The guy had some bad luck in 2024, and that will balance itself out with the 2025 campaign. Seeing that leave town possibly is one of many harsh digests fans and teammates will have to experience over the next few seasons.

Here’s the thing. Over the next five seasons, you won’t see big signings like Contreras, Gray, Nolan Arenado, or the departing Paul Goldschmidt. That’s done for a good while, and low-key utility players and homegrown talent will be the norm. So, get comfortable with the fact that Gray may stay this season, but could easily depart at the deadline or after this year.

Contreras will probably not finish his current contract here. While it may not happen right away, a good rebound year from Arenado could see him traded elsewhere, and I don’t think the player will waive a trade to a team that wants to win. All of this is more possible than ever before.

It’s necessary to turn over this troublesome engine for playoff appearances in the future. While it would make more sense to keep a big producer on a team to help them win, the inability to clone the previously mentioned players immediately makes it feasible.

Expect this lineup next April. Winn, Burleson, Walker, Donovan, Arenado, Baker, Pages/Herrera, Siani/Victor Scott II, Saggese. Nolan Gorman is a guy I don’t see wearing Cardinal Red next year. He’s got holes in his swing, but legit power and a strong arm at second, so there’s trade value. If not, he will push for DH starts and some starts at second, but that position is getting crowded with Saggese and the recently drafted J.J. Wetherholt.

Stripped down. Bare-boned. That’s a strong possibility for the Cardinals’ 2025 offense. This is how the process starts, and it’s not always enjoyable. Welcome back, 90s ball.

Contreras deserves a playoff team to play on, and not a slowly restructuring franchise. Don’t put that fire and output in a building that’s being gutted; place that persona in the land of October enchantment. He should be tossing his helmet after a walk-off blast, or holding his arms outstretched to the sky. He shouldn’t be watching from home.

Baseball should build off players like Contreras, athletes who have the fire and performance to spark a personality worth celebrating. That won’t happen here. Accepting that is a process we all begin.