Cardinals confirm Willson Contreras will switch to first base full time
espn.com — November 7, 2024, 01:01 AM UTC
St. Louis Cardinals player Willson Contreras will permanently switch to first base, as confirmed by president of baseball operations John Mozeliak. This decision aims to enhance his hitting performance and protect his career after recent injuries. Contreras, 32, has primarily played catcher but has faced injuries, including a broken arm this past season. The Cardinals will not re-sign free agent Paul Goldschmidt, creating an opportunity for Contreras at first base. This change allows Contreras to play alongside Ivan Herrera, who had a strong season as a catcher. Contreras played only 84 games in 2024 due to injury but hit 15 home runs with an .842 OPS.