Why Red Sox are unlikely to trade $87.5 million star slugger

The Boston Red Sox are heading towards the 2026 MLB trade deadline as an obvious seller. With a poor record, at 32-44 entering June 24, the Red Sox are well outside of the postseason hunt even in a weak AL.

While the Red Sox might sell, the bigger question is about who Boston will be trading away. Aroldis Chapman and Sonny Gray seem like obvious trade candidates, and Jarren Duran could be dealt as well.

But what about the $87.5 million star slugging first baseman Willson Contreras? According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, Contreras is "unlikely" to be traded for a few reasons.

Why Willson Contreras is 'unlikely' to be traded by Red Sox

"His deal also includes a $20 million club option for 2028 (with a $7.5 million buyout), and two-plus years of club control remaining, the Red Sox seem unlikely to trade him this summer," Feinsand writes.

Boston might sell, but Contreras isn't likely to be a part of such a sell-off this summer. He's under club control through the 2028 season, and he has a full no-trade clause on top of that.

He's hitting .281 this season with 16 homers and a .898 OPS and 152 OPS+. Contreras has put up 2.7 bWAR for the Red Sox this season in 75 games, which is already more than he had in 135 games for the St. Louis Cardinals last season.

Contreras is well on his way to smashing his previous career-best season of 4.2 bWAR in 2021, as he's been one of the best hitters in baseball this season.

MORE: Red Sox looking likely to trade Aroldis Chapman, Sonny Gray, Jarren Duran, and Willson Contreras

If there were one player worth keeping around from this disappointing Red Sox team, it would be Contreras. He is under club control through the 2028 season, giving the Red Sox two more years of his production, which is incredible right now.

The 34-year-old veteran is worth keeping around, even as a deadline seller. But, even if the Red Sox are okay parting with Contreras, it's going to be difficult to find a suitor willing to pay such a huge price for the veteran and expensive infielder.

Add on top of that his no-trade clause, and Contreras is unlikely to get traded this season. It's not impossible, but it's more likely he stays in Boston through the 2026 deadline than not.

More MLB news:

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• Giants are ‘hopeful ‘ they can trade Matt Chapman by MLB deadline
• Giants are 'pessimistic' they can trade Rafael Devers or Willy Adames
• Twins' Byron Buxton trade update is bad news for Phillies, Braves