Three MLB clubs that would be good trade fits for Willson Contreras

For months now, everyone in the baseball world has known that the St. Louis Cardinals would look to trade away several of their veteran players this offseason. The team's three highest-paid players from that group -- Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras and Nolan Arenado -- each have no-trade clauses to work around, but each player has shown a willingness to waive it to facilitate a deal. 

Gray has already done so, having been traded to the Boston Red Sox. 

Contreras may be the next to make his departure from St. Louis. Katie Woo of The Athletic reports that Contreras has grown more open to waiving his no-trade clause since the offseason began. 

The 33-year-old (he'll be 34 in May) first baseman slashed .257/.344/.447 (123 OPS+) with 31 2B, 20 HR and 80 RBI during the 2025 season. He is guaranteed $36.5 million over the next two seasons, plus a $5 million buyout on a team option for the 2028 season. At a $41.5 million cost, Contreras would be a far more affordable option for teams seeking an upgrade at first base than signing Pete Alonso or Cody Bellinger.

Several teams could be in the mix to upgrade at first base this offseason. These three could prove to be good fits for Contreras. 

Washington Nationals 

The Nationals are not typically at the top of the list of teams needing an upgrade at first base, but the team's projected depth chart currently lists Luis Garcia Jr. and Andres Chaparro as the team's likely starters. Neither brings much offensive potential to the table nor has an extensive track record at the position. It's an obvious position to upgrade for the team's new president of baseball operations, Paul Toboni. 

Contreras would give Washington a bat they it immediately place into the middle of the lineup, providing support behind James Wood. Most of his career was spent behind the plate, but Contreras has more experience at first (120 games in 2025) than Garcia (two games in 2025) and Chaparro (42 career games) have in their careers combined. 

There's also the added benefit of having Contreras as a leader in that Washington clubhouse, given the youth and inexperience both on the roster and in the front office. 

Texas Rangers 

Jake Burger spent the bulk of the 2025 season as the primary first baseman in Texas, appearing in 91 games while hitting .236/.269/.419 (99 OPS+) with 15 2B, 16 HR and 53 RBI. A wrist injury hindered Burger for most of the season's second half, and he saw just 90 plate appearances following the All-Star Break. 23-year-old Abimelec Ortiz was added to the team's 40-man roster in November to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, but he's yet to see significant time at Triple-A, let alone make his MLB debut. Ortiz hit .257/.356/.479 with 25 2B and 25 HR last year between Double and Triple-A. 

The Rangers may not be a perfect fit financially, given the club's perceived limitations on spending, but if the Cardinals are willing to swallow a portion of Contreras's remaining contract, that could help facilitate a move. Adding Contreras to that Rangers lineup would surely help push the team back into postseason contention. One has to think the veteran would be interested in winning another World Series ring. 

Miami Marlins 

FanGraphs' first base depth chart rankings have the Marlins 29th in baseball right now, behind only the Colorado Rockies. Either of the two organizations would benefit from adding Contreras (especially given the modest return he'll likely command) to their lineups. The fit is much clearer in Miami than in Denver. 

The Marlins' projected lineups have Graham Pauley and Eric Wagaman lined up to take most of the reps at first base. Like the Nationals, neither brings much of an offensive track record to the table nor has extensive experience in the big leagues at the position. First base is an obvious place for the Marlins to improve. 

Miami has also shown more of a willingness to spend than in years past, according to several reports. The team currently only has one player on the roster (right-hander Sandy Alcantara) scheduled to earn more than $5 million in 2025. Taking on Contreras's remaining contract would both improve the lineup and help alleviate any potential spending concerns that might be raised by the MLBPA.