Yankees Could Target Veteran First Baseman Willson Contreras in Offseason Trade
As the New York Yankees prepare for the offseason following their playoff exit, first base remains a position of interest with Paul Goldschmidt heading to free agency. After acquiring Goldschmidt midseason, the Yankees saw the veteran’s role diminish during the postseason as young talent Ben Rice emerged as the preferred option. While Rice appears poised to claim the starting role in 2025, the organization’s history suggests they may still seek veteran leadership at the position, potentially targeting former All-Star Willson Contreras from the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Cardinals appear to be entering a rebuilding phase, having already traded pitcher Sonny Gray to the Boston Red Sox and signaling potential moves involving their veteran stars. According to Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller, both Nolan Arenado and Willson Contreras have become increasingly open to waiving their no-trade clauses, making a potential deal more feasible than in previous years. This development creates an opportunity for the Yankees, who have demonstrated a pattern of acquiring established first basemen in their mid-30s to provide stability and leadership while complementing their younger talent.
A trade for Contreras would align with the Yankees’ recent first base strategy, following their acquisition of Anthony Rizzo in 2021 and subsequent signing of Goldschmidt. Though Contreras may have moved past his peak years with the Chicago Cubs, the 33-year-old demonstrated significant offensive productivity in 2024, posting a respectable .257/.344/.447 slash line with 20 home runs and a career-high 80 RBIs. These numbers suggest he could contribute meaningfully to the Yankees’ lineup while providing the veteran presence the organization typically values during transitions.
The financial aspects of such a deal present both challenges and opportunities. Contreras has $41.5 million remaining on his contract, a substantial commitment that might require St. Louis to retain a portion of the salary to facilitate a trade. However, the Yankees possess considerable pitching prospect depth, which addresses a critical need for the Cardinals and could form the foundation of a mutually beneficial transaction. This alignment of organizational needs creates a potential pathway for negotiations, particularly if the Cardinals are motivated to shed salary and accumulate younger talent.
While the Yankees contemplate their first base options, reports indicate they may already be distancing themselves from pursuing the top outfielders in free agency, suggesting their focus might shift toward trade acquisitions or mid-tier free agents. This approach would be consistent with their recent strategy of targeted trades for established veterans rather than engaging in bidding wars for premium free agents. The organization’s apparent confidence in Rice’s development may also influence their willingness to invest significantly at first base, potentially viewing Contreras as a complementary piece rather than a cornerstone acquisition.
As both organizations evaluate their rosters and objectives heading into the offseason, a Contreras trade represents one of several paths the Yankees might pursue to balance immediate competitiveness with long-term development. The team’s decision will likely reflect their assessment of Rice’s readiness for a full-time role, their competitive window for 2025, and the overall direction of their roster construction strategy. With free agency approaching and trade discussions beginning to intensify, the Yankees’ first base situation remains a storyline worth monitoring as they attempt to build a championship-caliber roster for the coming season.
