How Willson Contreras Trade Restructure Shapes Red Sox 2026 Payroll

The Boston Red Sox didn’t just trade for Willson Contreras — they rewired his contract to balance adding an impact bat with managing the competitive balance tax (CBT). By tweaking the final years of Contreras’ deal and getting cash from the St. Louis Cardinals, Boston bought flexibility both on the field and on the books, while still giving the catcher a little something for signing off.

How the Red Sox Restructured Willson Contreras’ Contract

Contreras came to Boston with a big contract originally set up by St. Louis. Instead of just taking on the whole deal, the Red Sox and Cardinals worked together to change the payout timeline, the option year, and how the contract hits the CBT.

The Original Cardinals Deal

Contreras signed a five-year, $87.5 million contract with the Cardinals before the 2023 season. He still had $41.5 million guaranteed left for the 2026–27 seasons, plus a 2028 option with a buyout.

That setup worked for St. Louis, but Boston needed a different financial shape to make the trade fit their payroll plan.

The New Red Sox Structure

The Red Sox didn’t cut Contreras’ security; they actually boosted it. They reshaped the last part of his contract so that:

That might sound minor, but it matters to a veteran with full no-trade protection. It also shows how front offices use option years and buyouts to please the player and shape the tax hit.

The Cash Considerations and Net Cost to Boston

Restructuring the contract was only part of the story. To make the dollars work under the CBT, the Cardinals also tossed in some cash.

Cardinals’ Cash Sweetener and Red Sox Outlay

St. Louis sent $8 million in cash to Boston as part of the trade. That changes the short-term math:

For a team trying to land a big bat without blowing up its CBT plan, that mix of reworked money and cash relief is a big deal. It gives Boston some room to maneuver around the edges of the roster.

CBT Impact: Where Contreras Fits in Boston’s Payroll Puzzle

Under MLB rules, the average annual value (AAV) of a contract, not just the yearly salary, is what matters for the CBT. The Red Sox definitely had that in mind at the table.

Contreras’ AAV and Boston’s CBT Thresholds

For CBT purposes, Contreras will carry a $17.25 million AAV in both 2026 and 2027. That puts him high up on the payroll chart:

The organization seems okay with stepping over that first line, but they’re clearly hesitant to approach the second threshold at $264 million. That’s a real concern when you start talking about big-ticket targets. If they chase a star like Alex Bregman, that could mean adding about $30 million in AAV—a leap straight into higher tax penalties and possible draft-pick hits.

Contract Control, No-Trade Power, and Performance Incentives

Contreras still holds real leverage and upside in his reworked deal. Boston got his bat, but they didn’t take away his control over his future.

No-Trade Clause and Incentive Structure

Contreras keeps a full no-trade clause through 2026. That means he can say no to any trade during that period, which is a pretty strong bit of leverage for a player.

After 2026, the contract switches to a limited no-trade list. He still gets some say over where he goes, just not quite as much.

The deal also comes with performance-based bonus incentives. If Contreras puts up big numbers, he can bump up his earnings beyond the base salary.

The Red Sox use these incentives to hedge their bets, but it also shows they believe Contreras can really anchor the lineup. For Contreras, there’s a shot to cash in even more if he plays at an All-Star level.

 
Here is the source article for this story: How Willson Contreras trade, restructured deal will impact Red Sox’ 2026 payroll