The St. Louis Cardinals are moving Willson Contreras to first base on a permanent basis, president of baseball operations John Mozeliak has confirmed.
\"We think that being such a productive hitter, not catching will make him a better hitter,\" Mozeliak said. \"How do we protect his career?\"
Contreras gave the team his blessing for the move, according to sources. If he hadn\'t, the Cardinals might have looked to move him this offseason -- though the veteran has a no-trade clause in a five-year, $87.5 million contract that runs through 2027.
Contreras, 32, has been a catcher for the majority of his nine-year career, playing in 774 games behind the plate and just 52 elsewhere -- including 11 at first base.