Mets check in on Cardinals’ Willson Contreras after Pete Alonso’s Orioles signing
· New York PostThe Mets lost a franchise icon on Wednesday, but could have their eyes on the Midwest for a potential replacement.
New York talked to the Cardinals about Willson Contreras following Pete Alonso’s signing with the Orioles, according to MLB.com.
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Contreras, a three-time All-Star, was primarily a catcher until 2025, when he played 120 games at first base for St. Louis.
In his 10th big league season, Contreras, 33, hit .257/.344/.447 with 20 home runs and 80 RBIs. Defensively, he was a plus defender — according to Baseball Savant — with six outs above average.
The native of Venezuela has 172 home runs with an .811 OPS across his big league career with the Cubs and Cardinals.
He has two more guaranteed years left on his five-year, $87.5 million contract with a club option for 2028.
Wednesday proved to be another tough day for the Mets this offseason, with Alonso leaving Queens for Baltimore on a five-year, $155 million contract.
Alonso, the Mets’ franchise leader in home runs with 264, is coming off a big year with a 144 OPS+ that marked a 22-point improvement from his up-and-down 2024 campaign.
His departure now leaves the Mets with another hole to fill.
With the trade of Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers and Edwin Diaz joining the Dodgers on Tuesday in free agency, the Amazin’s also have decisions to make in left field and in the back end of their bullpen. Devin Williams should help fill the latter role, as he signed a three-year, $51 million deal at the start of December.