As the MLB trade window enters its peak, the media and insiders are constantly exposing rumors that are shaking New York City — and now, the New York Mets are reportedly targeting Willson Contreras, the beloved star who previously played for the St. Louis Cardinals but may now leave the Midwest, to fill the huge void left by Pete Alonso’s departure.
But even more shocking isn’t just Contreras — it’s the idea of bringing along an incredibly effective backup from the Cardinals, leaving Mets fans on the edge of their seats.
Willson Contreras, a long-time reliable offensive and defensive link in MLB, is now on the Mets’ radar after they lost Pete Alonso—their icon—in a $155 million trade to the Baltimore Orioles.
Contreras, 33, recorded .257/.344/.447, 20 home runs, and 80 RBIs in 135 games for the Cardinals in the 2025 season. Although he was once a primary defensive catcher, he transitioned to first base last season and played exceptionally well, even ranking among the top defensive basemen in MLB… a surprising but effective shift.
The biggest draw? He has veto power due to a no-trade clause in his contract—meaning the Mets must personally persuade Contreras to leave the Cardinals, not simply negotiate with the team.
A former Cardinals pitcher recently revealed that the Mets, in their plans, not only want Contreras, but also another quality reliever from the Cardinals to complete their pitching lineup — something the Mets failed to do badly last season.
The “trade suggestion” described by the former player includes:
Contreras: adding offensive power and leadership experience to the midfield,
JoJo Romero: an impressive reliever from the Cardinals with an ERA of 2.07 in 2025, excellent ball-holding ability, and a “pace-setting” pitching style for the bullpen, helping to relieve pressure on the Mets in tense situations.
Lynn, the former pitcher, said that if the Cardinals are willing to build a trade around Contreras, Romero could be the perfect addition—not only because he’s an effective shooter, but also because he fits the stable, quiet bullpen building style the Mets are looking for.
This could be considered one of the Mets’ most ambitious moves since signing Devin Williams and seeing Edwin Díaz leave for the Dodgers.
With Alonso, Diaz, and other bullpen players gone, the Mets are being forced to rebuild from the ruins. Targeting Contreras — and possibly Romero — shows they’re not just looking to clean up the mess from last season, but also trying to reassert their identity as a highly competitive team right away in 2026.
Here’s the key point: the Cardinals are looking to offload Contreras while rebuilding their roster, but Contreras has veto power over any trade and will only agree if he sees a clear opportunity for competition and a real role on the new team.
The Mets will continue direct negotiations with Contreras — and that’s the key to any major trade.
The Cardinals could demand a package of quality young players — especially if Contreras agrees to drop his no-trade clause.
If Romero is indeed part of their plans, this would be one of the boldest “two birds with one stone” offseason trades.
The Mets are targeting a big player: Willson Contreras. But behind that lies a more intriguing possibility — the Contreras + potential reliever combination could transform the team’s image both offensively and defensively. This offseason, everything is still open — and this deal could become the biggest blockbuster before the 2026 season begins.
Leave a Reply