Menu
Sign In Search Podcasts Charts People & Topics Add Podcast API Blog Pricing
Podcast Image

Baseball Isn’t Boring

Presser: Willson Contreras On His Trade To The Red Sox

14 Jan 2026

Transcription

Chapter 1: What was Willson Contreras's reaction to being traded to the Red Sox?

0.031 - 7.581 Unknown

Hey Wilson, what was your reaction when you heard about the trade and how excited are you to be playing for the Red Sox now?

0

9.584 - 36.565 Willson Contreras

I got really excited. I learned about the trade rumors like the day before and I couldn't believe it at first. When then everything, I let everything sink in and talked to the president of, uh, San Luis Cardinals about it. And I really liked it. And I thought we, and I really think that is, it was the best thing for, for both, for the Cardinals and for myself.

0

38.327 - 43.515 Unknown

Wilson, obviously you had some choices in this situation. What was it about the Red Sox that you liked?

0

45.518 - 68.774 Willson Contreras

First of all, uh, the history that the Red Sox has and, um, I think it's really a dream coming true for any player, any lighting player that grew up watching Boston, watching Maynard Ramirez, David Ortiz, Tim Wildfield, Coach Schilling. At this point in my career, I was really surprised about this move.

0

Chapter 2: Why did Willson Contreras choose the Red Sox over other teams?

69.775 - 92.037 Willson Contreras

I never thought about coming to Boston in my life, but when I went to my first free agency, it was one of my landing spots. It didn't work, but now we're here and I'm really excited for this new opportunity and I can't wait to get back on the field with the guys.

0

93.316 - 104.554 Unknown

Wilson, you said that when you went to your first free agency, Boston was one of your top landing spots. What was it about Boston that made you feel that way at the time?

0

105.716 - 120.272 Willson Contreras

Boston has a history of winning teams, and I consider myself to be a winner, to be a gamer. I think Boston has a lot of good things around the team.

0

Chapter 3: How does Willson Contreras feel about the Red Sox roster and its potential?

121.073 - 151.37 Willson Contreras

And first of all, the fans, the fan base, the Fenwick Park, the team that is already built. I think everything about Boston, it was really to appreciate. And that was one of my choices. But like I said, it didn't work out at that time. We're in 2026 right now. And we're focused on getting back on the field and trying to win.

0

151.771 - 161.393 Unknown

Everybody seems excited that you made a great transition from catcher to first baseman. How difficult was that for you?

0

162.503 - 170.239 Willson Contreras

I wouldn't say that it was easy for me because every position has their own secrets, I would say.

0

Chapter 4: What challenges did Willson face transitioning from catcher to first baseman?

170.279 - 201.741 Willson Contreras

But I accepted the challenge. I took it as a challenge for me. I know that I did my best last year to learn about the position. I asked a lot of questions. I talked to a few guys that played there before and just being willing to listen, being willing to accept tips. And I think that was one of the things that helped me the most. Just ask questions and tips and put my heart in there.

0

202.649 - 211.244 Unknown

Wilson, what excites you most about this particular Red Sox team and how close do you feel that this team is to winning a World Series?

0

212.045 - 216.393 Willson Contreras

I think it's really close. I don't think it's too far away from winning a World Series.

0

Chapter 5: What excites Willson Contreras about the current Red Sox team?

217.575 - 239.608 Willson Contreras

I know last year we didn't finish the way we won, but And I say we because now I'm with the Pog, with the Rek, so I know I didn't play there, but I'm really excited for the new team. I think we have a really good base and lineup. Pitching staff is really good and the relievers are great. I think

0

239.588 - 256.399 Willson Contreras

We just need to keep playing with the same emotion, with the same feet, with the same energy day in and day out. Take care of all the little details that we're going to have to adjust during the season. And the most important thing for me, just play with heart, play with heart.

0

258.539 - 269.699 Unknown

Wilson, you talked about the shift to first base. What were some of the things that you needed to learn about the position, maybe some nuances, some small things?

0

Chapter 6: How does Willson view his role in the Yankees vs. Red Sox rivalry?

270.52 - 280.598 Unknown

And regarding catching, you didn't catch it all last year. Is that something you'd be willing to do at least occasionally here, and have they talked to you about that?

0

280.915 - 301.884 Willson Contreras

No, they haven't talked to me about catching at all. But if the team needs it, like on down the road and we have an emergency for a day or two or whatever, I'll do it because I'm a team player first. I wouldn't say no because I'm not that guy that has ego and say, oh, no, I got moved to first base. I'm not going to catch him or not.

0

302.324 - 312.935 Willson Contreras

I came here because I know that I can help the team in any way I can to win. But yeah, if the team needs me down the road for a day or two or three, I don't know, I'll say yes.

0

314.037 - 331.122 Willson Contreras

And for first base, it's a really tricky position because you're going to have to learn the angles, how to get to first base, how far you're playing, where you're going to be playing with the chiefs, who's hitting, who's low, who's fast. So there's a lot of questions about first base.

0

Chapter 7: What are Willson Contreras's thoughts on playing at Fenway Park?

331.102 - 335.147 Willson Contreras

Like I said, when you're willing to listen, willing to take tips, everything comes easier.

0

336.188 - 346.842 Unknown

The defensive metrics were very impressive for you, particularly your first year at the position. Do you think there's more still to learn and that you can get better there?

0

347.903 - 369.377 Willson Contreras

I think I'll say yes. I think every year is a new opportunity to keep getting better and every day is a new opportunity to keep getting better. If you don't want to get better, that means I think you need to go away from the game. But this is a game of challenge. This is a game of fail. And you don't have to deal with fail and challenges. And I'm here for that.

0

Chapter 8: How does Willson Contreras assess his new teammate Carlos Narvaez?

369.437 - 391.757 Willson Contreras

I'm here for challenges. And like I said, when I heard... That was funny. I already lose. I don't know. What was it? What we're talking about?

0

391.777 - 394 Unknown

You talk about the challenges and.

0

394.261 - 411.767 Willson Contreras

Oh, yes, the challenges. When I hear when I hear about the going to first base, I say I say yes, just because I love challenges. And I know many people doubt me, doubt me about playing first base because I'm not I got gloves yet, but I'm walking my way.

0

417.147 - 432.81 Unknown

Listen, Alex, Cora mentioned that he was still kind of going through a lot of aspects of the lineup, what the lineup is going to look like this year. But he had kind of put you in the fourth spot. What does that mean? And is that a spot that you like hitting in the lineup?

0

433.55 - 451.035 Willson Contreras

I think yeah, I think it's a fun spot. For all is a fun spot. He has a lot of responsibility, but I know that the probably the guy behind me when I have my back, same as the guy in front of me, I'm going to try to have his back. But I think every bat, every pitch is really important.

451.336 - 461.11 Willson Contreras

And it doesn't matter what I hit, it just matter of taking a good at bat, getting good pitch to hit and try to do some damage.

462.895 - 468.982 Unknown

Wilson, how do you feel your swing will play at Fenway Park, and are you looking forward to the opportunity to play there?

470.103 - 498.869 Willson Contreras

Oh, yeah, I think every time that I come to Fenway, it's really fun. When I play on the away team, Fenway has, I think it's a really tricky ballpark because that green monster is really close. So any lap drive that hit the monster, you have to think double or get off the box really hard. But I'm looking forward to play there just because the team and the fans.

498.969 - 506.706 Willson Contreras

I think that that was exciting to me the most about the ballpark. Yeah, it's really good ballpark to hit, but we have to make contact first.

Comments

There are no comments yet.

Please log in to write the first comment.