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PHILADELPHIA — Even before their recent charge back into the playoff picture, the Red Sox appeared unlikely to trade All-Star first baseman Willson Contreras because he has two years on his contract after this one. In any case, the slugger revealed Tuesday that he — in a playful yet notable way — told the front office he would not be willing to waive his no-trade clause should a deal materialize.
Contreras, who waived his no-trade and accepted a deal from the Cardinals to the Red Sox in December, still has the same contractual power. But his message to the Red Sox front office has been that they shouldn’t bother discussing his name in talks.
“They know the answer. The front office knows the answer,” Contreras said before the All-Star Game. “I already spoke about it. I don’t think I’m interested in going nowhere.”
Asked to clarify, Contreras said his conversations were not “as direct” as flat-out telling the Red Sox he was unwilling to be traded. But the Red Sox know “I love this place,” Contreras said, and therefore he feels his message has been received.
“I didn’t say, ‘Don’t ask (me) for a trade.’ I just told him, I would trade something to stay here,” Contreras said, smiling. “That’s what I said.
“I like it here. I like Boston,” he said. “I think it’s a great place to play. It’s not easy to get traded again so I think I found my family.”
As of three weeks ago, with the Red Sox in last place in the American League East, it seemed like a sell-off in front of the August 3 trade deadline was inevitable. Veterans on shorter contracts like Sonny Gray and Aroldis Chapman would have been more likely trade candidates than Contreras in that scenario, but teams likely would have still inquired on the slugger’s availability based on his renaissance season in which he hit 20 homers and posted a .921 OPS before the All-Star break. Now, after a nine-game winning streak that has them just a half-game out of a playoff spot, the Red Sox have not declared whether or not they plan to buy or sell. Still, Contreras wants to see things through.
“I mean, I like Boston,” he said. “I don’t want to just leave because of the situation. I like challenges, I like the team, I love my guys and I love the teammates. They’re great persons, great people. That’s what I appreciate the most. Every day they show up to the clubhouse, they’re willing to listen and they’re willing to learn. That’s why I went ahead and said something.
“We’re playing good,” he added. “We finished the first half strong and we’re looking to keep the same pace. Of course, it might not happen but our mindset is to win. If we’re gonna add or sell, that’s a front office question.”
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In December, with the Cardinals signaling that they planned to re-build ahead of 2026, Contreras — like Gray a month prior — accepted a trade to Boston. Looking back, he said that decision was an easy one.
“I didn’t hesitate,” Contreras recalled. “I was like, ‘Give me two minutes’ and I called back. I went through the roster, went through their whole system and it was good. I spoke to a few players and I was like, ‘I’m gonna waive my no-trade clause.’ Boston is a really great organization historically. When I grew up, I used to watch Manny Ramírez a lot, David Ortiz, Tim Wakefield, Curt Schilling. It’s amazing just to be there and play on the field (where) they played.”
Contreras’ contract, which was re-worked as part of the trade with St. Louis, calls for a $17 million guarantee in 2027. The Red Sox then have a team option worth $20 million (with a $7.5 million buyout) for 2028. On an average annual value basis, the competitive balance tax (CBT) hit on Contreras is $17.25 million in both 2026 and 2027.
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