Earlier this offseason, we highlighted how Willson Contreras would be a near-perfect fit in the Guardians’ lineup, even if his acquisition seemed like a pipe dream due to his no trade-clause.
Well it looks like that no-trade clause is (almost) no more.
The Athletic’s Katie Woo added some new insight into Contreras’s no-trade clause on Tuesday, as she wrote in her new story (subscription required) that Contreras is “open to trade offers and has become more willing to waive his full no-trade clause for the right fit.”
While that doesn’t confirm that he has any more interest in going to the Guardians (who knows what a “good fit” is), Contreras being open to waiving his no-trade clause is a promising update.
Willson Contreras could be available for the Guardians in trade talks
While Contreras hasn’t been an All-Star since 2022 (his final season with the Cubs), he’s been a productive player in the past three seasons with St. Louis.
He’s hit .261 with 55 home runs in that time, and is coming off a season where he slashed .357/.344/.447 with 20 home runs and a career-high 80 RBI.
He also was a full-time first baseman for the first time in his career, which would make him a better fit on the Guardians’ roster than some other impact sluggers (he could platoon with Kyle Manzardo and C.J. Kayfus could shift to a full-time outfielder).
 Contreras also hits right-handed, which would fill a huge need in Cleveland’s lefty-heavy lineup.
But it’s also worth noting that Contreras doesn’t seem like a lock to move, whether it be to the Guardians or any other team.
According to Woo, the Cardinals don’t view trading him as “as something they must do,” and are more than willing to have him on their roster on Opening Day. He still has two years and $36.5 million on his contract, which could also impact things in a potential deal.
Chaim Bloom (the Cardinals’ new president of baseball operations) sent the Red Sox $20 million as a part of the deal that sent Sonny Gray from St. Louis to Boston, so he may be willing to pay down some of Contreras’ contract, albeit with the expectation that the Cardinals would get a better prospect return.
The Cardinals are reportedly looking for young, controllable pitching in return for trades (they acquired two pitchers in exchange for Gray), which is something the Guardians could somewhat provide.
While the Guardians don’t have the same treasure trove of MLB-ready prospect depth they’ve had in years prior, they finished last year with a six-man rotation, so someone’s going to have to be the odd man out.
They’re not going to trade Tanner Bibee or Gavin Williams (we think), but someone like Joey Cantillo or Parker Messick could stand out as a solid asset if Cleveland’s front office chooses to make a big swing.
The Guardians have already proven they have a winning roster (they made the postseason last year despite having one of the sport’s worst offenses), so it’s fair to dream about how far they could go in October just by making some minor additions to the lineup. Adding Contreras would count as a major one.
