The Boston Red Sox weren't too busy watching football to make a key trade on Sunday.
ESPN's Jeff Passan reported the deal about 7:45 p.m. ET: The Red Sox are getting Willson Contreras from the St. Louis Cardinals.
Contreras will fill the first base role for the Red Sox.
The Athletic's Will Sammon reports the Cardinals are expected to receive pitching back in the deal.
Passan adds that right-hander Will Dobbins, and yet to be reported minor league pitching, will go to St. Louis.
Contreras is the headline name, though.
He's 33 years old now, but he's a three-time All Star and a World Series champion with the 2016 Cubs.
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Contreras came to the majors as a catcher. He also played left field early in his career.
Now, he's exclusively a first baseman.
In 2025, he had a.791 OPS for the Cardinals that included 31 doubles, a triple and 20 home runs to go with 80 RBI.
In his career, Contreras has an.811 OPS. He has hit at least 20 home runs in six different seasons.
The Red Sox weren't sure whether Triston Casas was the answer at first base, or even if he'd be healthy to start the year.
Now, that's not a worry. Contreras will get that spot and try to bolster an already promising Red Sox batting lineup.
A Sunday night move, a few days before Christmas, and Boston is better for it.
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