The St. Louis Cardinals managed to pick up the best available catcher on the free agent market this offseason, signing veteran backstop Willson Contreras to a five-year, $87.5 million contract.
Contreras of course spent the first seven years of his career with the rival Chicago Cubs.
Now, he finds himself on the other side of the rivalry.
President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak was certain that Contreras was the best man for the job in terms of replacing Yadier Molina.
Today, at Cardinals camp, Mozeliak discussed what drew him to Contreras and what he ultimately saw in him that made him decide he was to be the team’s next catcher.
“I think that type of personality and the charisma that he brings to the game is something that our club will need.”
– @Cardinals President of Baseball Ops. John Mozeliak on the addition of Willson Contreras pic.twitter.com/1sdGYOTwrv
—MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 17, 2023
Mozeliak made a shocking admission, revealing that when Contreras was with the Cubs, he really didn’t like him and the energy he played with.
But that didn’t stop him from being interested in the 2016 World Series champion.
In fact, it’s ultimately what drew him to Contreras.
Mozeliak recalled the recruiting process and mentioned an important thing that Contreras told him, that he plays the game with the intention of making other teams not like him.
And so, that was when the Cards realized Contreras was their man, and Mozeliak commented on how that was something he felt the team needed in their clubhouse.
Contreras brings a little extra boisterous energy and is a fun-loving type of player.
Cardinals fans are already excited about having him on board, and he clearly is excited about being a Cardinal and having a chance to bring a title home to St. Louis.
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