The MLB world is buzzing after the St. Louis Cardinals’ shocking move on Saturday. This past off-season, the Cardinals signed All-Star catcher Willson Contreras away from the rival Chicago Cubs. One month into the season, the Cardinals and Contreras are re-routing. The team will move their prized free-agent signing off the catcher position over the next few weeks in favor of Andrew Knizner.
Katie Woo of The Athletic reported the shocking move on Saturday. It comes on the heels of St. Louis and Contreras agreeing to a 5-year, $87.5 million deal in the off-season. Things haven’t worked out behind the plate, and the Cardinals are trying to figure out why they have the third-worst Starters ERA in the National League. While the blame isn’t 100 percent on Contreras, as that’s simply an unfair way to look at things, the Cardinals have keyed in on him being part of the issue. So, after that diagnosis, they will move him off the position and play him as the designated hitter and in the outfield.
Contreras has experience in both positions, but this is a challenging change of direction. But St. Louis is searching for answers with the team at 10-23, the worst record in the National League. And so the Cardinals are looking at Willson Contreras first to see if that has any positive effect.
The MLB world reacted to the shocking move.
what if it's all been a long con and willson contreras is just a cubs plant on the cardinals
— katie dzwierzynski (@kdzwierzynski) May 6, 2023
The #stlcards are in absolute panic mode. Jordan Walker sent down after a month. Zack Thompson down to become a starter after a month. Willson Contreras now a DH/OF/C after a month. They’re just throwing darts at this point. As directionless as I’ve ever seen this franchise.
— Charlie Marlow (@CharlieMarlow_) May 6, 2023
and another thing: we’re not losing ballgames because Willson Contreras is catching. please do not put it in the papers that we’re losing ballgames because Willson Contreras is catching. https://t.co/5zNWGQn5JP
— Tipping Pitches (@tipping_pitches) May 6, 2023
WOW: The Cardinals Are Removing Willson Contreras From Catching Dutieshttps://t.co/VFII9nR6PH pic.twitter.com/8ccHxditdC
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) May 6, 2023
