Willson Contreras' time with the Cardinals just keeps bringing the headlines

I think I've written more about Willson Contreras over the last two years since he joined the St. Louis Cardinals in free agency than I did in his seven years spent with the Chicago Cubs. Why? Because there always seems to be something going on with the two-time All-Star and this time, it's a position change.

Starting next season, Contreras is expected to be St. Louis' full-time first baseman, taking over for veteran Paul Goldschmidt, who is set to move on after six seasons with the Cardinals. Never mind the fact he's played a total of 11 big-league games at the position - and hasn't set foot there in game action since 2018.

It's just the latest storyline to come out of this marriage between Contreras and the Cardinals. At every turn, there's been some sort of drama: first, it was the team moving him out from behind the plate because of his defense, then it was his calling out the organization this year - and that doesn't even factor in the stories that surfaced about his time in Chicago after he left.

Limited to just 84 games due to injury, Contreras was a lethal offensive weapon for St. Louis this year, putting up an .848 OPS and a career-best 140 wRC+. Given Goldschmidt's departure and the Cardinals' well-documented displeasure with Contreras' defensive abilities, the move makes really isn't all that surprising.

Contreras establishing himself as a legitimate first baseman could also help St. Louis shop his impressive offensive skills on the trade market and potentially unload the remaining three years and $54.5 million left on his deal - not to mention a $17.5 million team option with a $5.5 million buyout for 2028.

With the Cardinals poised to re-set at an organizational level under Chaim Bloom, the next few years could be rocky for the self-purported 'Best Fans in Baseball' could be rocky. So why not throw in a position change for one of your highest-paid players for good measure?