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Willson Contreras wasted no time in embracing his role as the villain for the Chicago Cubs and the team's fanbase given the comments that he made during Spring Training about the Cardinals' way being far superior to the Cubs' way of doing business.
The Cardinals way may now see Contreras get moved by the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline on August 1.
The Cardinals began their sell-off earlier this week as they moved hard-throwing relief pitcher Genesis Cabreras to the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Cardinals are expected to shop several players leading up to the deadline and Contreras is one of those players.
Bob Nightengale of The USA Today reported on Sunday morning that the Cardinals have made Contreras available in trade talks.
"The Cardinals have the greatest array of talent available with outfielders Carlson and O’Neill, infielders Tommy Edman and Paul DeJong, and catcher Willson Contreras on the block too. "Bob Nightengale via USA Today
The wording of the report is what makes it a true chef kiss moment for Cubs fans.
Based on the reporting, this is not a situation where teams are calling the Cardinals about Contreras. Instead, the wording would seem to suggest that the Cardinals are calling teams about the idea of sending them Contreras.
In other words, Contreras may appreciate the Cardinals' way but the Cardinals' way certainly does not appreciate him.
Contreras remains a liability to his pitching staff given his poor catching skills but his offensive numbers have returned to form. Entering play on Sunday, Contreras was slashing .244/.339/.428 with 11 home runs and 114 wRC+.
The Cardinals will likely find the same difficulty at this deadline that the Cubs had at last season's deadline when they tried to move Contreras. The difference and the important factor working against the Cardinals is the five-year, $87.5MM deal that Contreras signed with the team last winter.
Teams do not value Contreras as a catcher and his price tag makes him an expensive option for a designated hitter. But hey, the Cubs' way is what was wrong with him.