Willson Contreras lets Red Sox front office know he wants to stay in Boston this season, and into future
PHILADELPHIA — It’s unlikely the Red Sox would consider trading Willson Contreras.
Read more Stingy Spain shuts down Kylian Mbappé, France to advance to World Cup final
The team’s perfect 9-0 road trip heading into the All-Star break has repositioned the club in the thick of the running-backwards race for the final AL wild-card spot. And on a team desperate for offense, the All-Star first baseman represents a lineup anchor who is signed through 2027 with a team option for 2028.
Even so, given the speculation earlier this season about whether the Sox might consider dealing him, the 34-year-old Contreras let the front office know that he had no desire to be dealt.
“The front office knows the answer,” Contreras said when asked if he’d exercise his no-trade clause to refuse a trade. “I don’t think I’m interested in going anywhere.”
Contreras later qualified the statement, saying he didn’t state flatly that he veto any deal. Still, he made the decision to proactively express his desire to stay — as well as a preference to not uproot his family again after being dealt from St. Louis in December.
“If it was my choice, it was my pick, I would finish my career here,” said Contreras. “I told [the front office] I would trade something to stay here. That’s what I said. … I like it here. I like Boston. I think [it’s] a great place to play, and it’s not easy to get traded again.”
The first baseman is producing the best numbers of his career, hitting .285/.379/.542 with 20 homers in his first season in Boston. That performance is in line with that of Red Sox whom he idolized when growing up in Venezuela.
Contreras recalled watching Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, and Tim Wakefield as a kid, and expressed appreciation for Red Sox fans and teammates as well as the history of the organization. He said the team’s record at any given moment in time wouldn’t affect his view of the virtues of staying in Boston.
“I love challenges,” said Contreras.
Specifically, trying to win in Boston with this particular group.
“I think I found my family here,” he said. “I love my teammates. I don’t want to leave them.”
Stars at Fenway?
The Cubs are scheduled to host the 2027 All-Star Game, and San Francisco is lined up for 2028 to help accommodate players who also would appear in the Los Angeles Olympics.
Where does that leave the Red Sox, who last hosted in 1999? Team president Sam Kennedy has said the team is eager for the Midsummer Classic to return.
Commissioner Rob Manfred was noncommittal, pointing out that Baltimore (1993) and Toronto (1991) also haven’t hosted in many years.
“There are teams that have gone longer than the Red Sox,” he said.
Sox add Jones for OF/DH depth
The Red Sox acquired corner outfielder Jahmai Jones from the Tigers for a player to be named later. He’d been designated for assignment last week.
Jones, who will turn 29 on Aug. 4, was spectacular for Detroit last year as a platoon option, hitting .287/.387/.550 with seven homers in 150 plate appearances. But this year, he cratered to a .137/.219/.221 line as his strikeout rate jumped from 21 to 33 percent.
The Sox hope that Jones (who is out of minor-league options) can rediscover some of last year’s magic and help offer production against lefties from left field or the DH spot. Against southpaws this year, the Sox have gotten a combined .225/.297/.361 line from those two positions.
The Sox added Jones to their roster and optioned outfielder Nate Eaton to Triple-A. Eaton is hitting .125/.282/.281 in 39 plate appearances this year. The Sox had an open spot on their 40-man roster after designating Danny Coulombe for assignment last week.
The Red Sox also re-signed reliever Tommy Kahnle to a minor-league deal and assigned him to Triple-A Worcester, a major league source confirmed. The 36-year-old logged nine innings over eight appearances in the big leagues, allowing eight runs while striking out five and walking six, before being designated for assignment. News of Kahnle’s re-signing was first reported by the Telegram & Gazette.
Scare for big slugger
Rays slugger Junior Caminero, who ranks third in the American League with 28 homers, got hit in the left hand by a pitch from Cardinals pitcher Riley O’Brien and immediately ran into the clubhouse for medical attention.
X-rays at Citizens Bank Park were negative. A relieved Caminero said he expects to be available on Friday for the start of a four-game weekend series against the Sox at Fenway Park coming out of the break.
Read more Senate to hold hearing for Trump’s pick to head intelligence agencies after weekslong delay
Post Comment