Free-agent catcher Willson Contreras, who spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Chicago Cubs, is "closing in" on an agreement with the St. Louis Cardinals, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.
Contreras, who is entering his age-31 season, hit .243 (.815 OPS) and posted 22 home runs and 55 RBI in 2022.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported on Dec. 29, 2020, that the Cubs were "extensively shopping" Contreras. A trade never happened, and Contreras and the Cubs agreed to a one-year, $9.6 million deal for the 2021 season to avoid arbitration.