Boston Red Sox catcher Willson Contreras has indicated he has no intention of waiving his no-trade clause, expressing a strong desire to remain with the team for the remainder of his contract. Contreras, acquired by the Red Sox from the Cardinals in December, stated his commitment to Boston while speaking with reporters on Tuesday before the All-Star Game in Philadelphia.
"The front office knows the answer [to my future]. I already spoke [to them] about it, but I don’t think I’m interested in going anywhere," Contreras said. "I didn’t [directly] say, ‘Don’t ask me for a trade.’ But I told them I would trade something to stay here. That’s what I said."
Contreras, 34, cited his connection to his teammates and the city as primary reasons for his decision. "I like Boston. I think it’s a great place to play, and it’s not easy to get traded again. So, I think I found my family here," he added. "I like challenges. I like the team. I love my guys. I love my teammates and I don’t want to leave them. They’re great people, and that’s what I appreciate the most."
The veteran catcher is in the midst of a strong season, making his first American League All-Star team. He is batting .285 with 20 home runs and 61 RBIs, posting a .921 OPS. Contreras also participated in the Home Run Derby on Monday, narrowly missing a spot in the finals.
His comments come at a time when the Red Sox have seen a significant turnaround. After a period where they were considered likely sellers, the team has won nine consecutive games heading into the All-Star break. They now stand at 46-48, just half a game out of a playoff spot. This recent success likely diminishes any previous consideration of trading Contreras, who has been a valuable asset for the team this season.
Contreras has two years remaining on his contract after the current season. He previously spent three seasons with the Cardinals and seven years with the Cubs, where he won a World Series in 2016.