Willson Contreras Makes Request to Cardinals Before MLB Trade Deadline originally appeared on Athlon Sports. First baseman Willson Contreras is in his third season with the St. Louis Cardinals after signing a five-year, $87.5 million deal, which includes a club option for a sixth year, in December 2022.

Sensing that his time with the Cardinals would almost certainly be ending before Thursday’s MLB Trade Deadline, Steven Matz decided against flying with the team to San Diego on Wednesday night and instead booked himself a commercial flight on Thursday.

The Boston Red Sox have added to their bullpen in the form of St. Louis Cardinals reliever Steven Matz in a late-night trade, per reports.

A series opener between the San Diego Padres (60-49) and St. Louis Cardinals (55-55) is scheduled for Friday at 9:40 p.m. ET, at PETCO Park. The Cardinals are road underdogs (+119) at the Padres (-142).