Contreras could be in the Cards

THE Cardinals are pursuing free-agent catcher Willson Contreras and look like a potential landing spot for the former Cub. While the Astros and other are linked to Contreras, St. Louis is among teams at the forefront of talks.

This would be a double blow to the Cubs, as St. Louis is their biggest rival. Oddly enough, the Cubs never made Contreras a multiyear offer covering freeagent years.

The Astros are interesting, as former GM James Click had a deal for Contreras in place that was nixed by owner Jim Crane. So with Crane running things for now, he seems like an unusual fit. The Cardinals are more logical, having lost future Hall of Famer Yadier Molina to retirement.

Other catching possibilities include free agents Christian Vazquez and Mike Zunino and trade candidates Danny Jansen and Sean Murphy.

Click didn’t surprise anyone by rejecting that awful oneyear offer he received. Click did a great job and is a pleasant fellow, but he also seemed at odds with both owner Crane and manager Dusty Baker.

Baker turned out right on many things, including batting World Series MVP Jeremy Pena second to get him good pitches to hit. Analytics are unlikely to have recommended that coveted spot for a rookie.

David Stearns’ deal with Brewers owner Mark Attanasio has him being paid to sit out the year, and that’s the way it’s looking. But might it behoove Attanasio to let Stearns go to Houston in the AL rather than sit out the year and potentially go to the NL rival Mets in 2024.

While teams are likely to ask about Brewers stars Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff and Willy Adames, their most likely trade pieces are Hunter Renfroe and Kolten Wong.