Bold claim: Willson Contreras could finally anchor a stable first base for the Red Sox, turning a position of weekly patchwork into a dependable threat both at the plate and in the field. But here’s where it gets controversial: can a catcher-turned-first-baseman really deliver consistent results across a full season in Boston?
The Baseline
Boston traded for Willson Contreras in late December, sending SP Hunter Dobbins and pitching prospects Yhoiker Fajardo and Blake Aita to the St. Louis Cardinals. After catching for most of his career with the Cubs and Cardinals, Contreras moved to first base last year, logging 120 games at first and 15 as the designated hitter.
The goal is clear: provide dependable offense and solid defense at first, a level the position hasn’t seen from Boston in years. Over the past six seasons, first base for the Red Sox has been a revolving door—the table below highlights the leaders in games at first and shows that only two of those six players posted a positive bWAR on Baseball Reference:
- 2020 (short season): Michael Chavis, 42 games (21 at 1B), .212/.281/.636 OPS, -0.8 bWAR
- 2021: Bobby Dalbec, 133 games (111 at 1B), .240/.277/.792 OPS, 0.3 bWAR
- 2022: Bobby Dalbec, 117 games (64 at 1B), .215/.261/.652 OPS, -0.7 bWAR
- (Also noted: the “Franchy Cordero Experience” with 47 starts at 1B and 8 errors)
- 2023: Triston Casas, 132 games (115 at 1B), .263/.333/.856 OPS, 2.2 bWAR
- 2024: Dominic Smith, 84 games (66 at 1B), .237/.296/.706 OPS, 0.0 bWAR
- 2025: Abraham Toro, 77 games (57 at 1B), .239/.297/.659 OPS, -0.2 WAR
Outside of Casas’s standout 2023 season, the trend has been tough. Contrasting that, when he’s in the lineup, Contreras has been remarkably consistent. The hope is that moving to first will keep him on the field more often, echoing his durability last season. Since turning 30, Contreras has posted OPS figures between .791 and .848, wRC+ between 124 and 141, and 20–22 homers in each full season. In 2024 he played only 84 games due to a broken arm and a broken finger, yet still driven 15 homers in that limited time.
In his age-33 season, Contreras ranked in the top quartile for Barrel % and Hard Hit%, and in the top 5 percentile for Bat Speed. Those are encouraging signs for a veteran hitter, and they helped Boston feel comfortable signing him for two years. His spray chart also suggests the Monster at left could be particularly welcoming for his 52 extra-base hits (31 doubles) from the prior year.
Defensively, Contreras handled the first-base transition well, posting a +6 Outs Above Average (OAA), placing him in the 90th percentile for that metric, and maintaining a solid 76th percentile arm strength. While he hasn’t ruled out catching in emergencies, that’s unlikely to be a primary role. Roster Resource projects him to bat cleanup, with Wilyer Abreu protecting him behind him against right-handers. An ideal return to his career walk rate—about 9.8%—would help, though a spike in hit-by-pitches (23 HBPs, second in the NL) doesn’t directly affect walk rate.
Overall, Contreras has produced at least 2.5 bWAR in every season since his rookie year (excluding 2020). If he can maintain his health, this could finally resolve the long-standing first-base issue for Boston in 2026.
The Injuries
Triston Casas
The primary reason for seeking stability at first is Casas. After a promising 2023 season, his development hit a rough patch. He missed 118 days in 2024 with a rib injury before rupturing his patellar tendon on May 2 of the following year, ending his season. In the two seasons combined where he played 92 games, Casas slashed .222/.318/.412 with a 29.3% strikeout rate and a 100 wRC+.
Casas has three seasons left before free agency. 2026 is a critical year for him to stay healthy and prove his value, especially as Boston would love to recoup some trade value if feasible. Early spring reports show Casas moving well in defensive drills, with optimism about a May return. If he’s back by May 1, that would be a win for everyone, though it would push DH time for other regulars and potentially crowd the lineup.
Romy González
González is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day. He played 58 games at first base last season, plus 42 at second and 2 at third. He hit left-handed pitching well, which could help if lefty-heavy rotations persist. He slashed .305/.343/.483 across 341 plate appearances. A lingering shoulder issue from September could slow him, but if he’s back in the first half, he provides valuable infield depth.
Other Options
The bench currently leans on Casas and González when healthy. In the meantime, two players who might surface more in other roles deserve mention.
- Andruw Monasterio has played 36 innings at first base across two seasons in Milwaukee, despite never appearing there in the minors. Statcast has tracked five balls his way—he’s fielded them all.
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa has zero MLB innings at first base in nearly 1,000 games, but he’s expressed willingness to try. As the Boston Globe recently noted, he’s covered multiple positions and would relish a chance to try first base.
Minor League Depth
Nick Sogard appeared in 30 games for Boston last season, mostly at first base (12 appearances). At 28, he’s a plausible contributor in 2026, possibly even opening the season with the big club. Nathan Hickey played 72 games at Worcester last year, slashing .234/.325/.408 with 17 home runs and 75 RBI. He’s 26 and would need to show notable improvement to earn a call-up in 2026.
Projection Notes
Fangraphs’ BATX projections illustrate a 50th-percentile outcome for Boston’s first basemen in 2026. The total plate appearances (1300+) will be split among first base, second base (when healthy), DH, and the bench pieces, so not all actions will be at first.
Divisional Context
AL East first basemen are a tough crowd. Ranking last here is far from a compliment, but the field is elite.
1) Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) — steady performer, with a dominant season arc and clutch postseason impact.
2) Pete Alonso (BAL) — a constant presence, rarely missing time, with power and run production in contract-year form.
3) Willson Contreras (BOS) — a proven hitter and versatile defender who could push for 25 homers in 2026 as he settles in left-field-friendly Monster conditions.
4) Ben Rice (NYY) — breakout last season, but needs to prove he handles left-handed pitching.
5) Jonathan Aranda (TB) — rising talent with high BABIP last season, but some regression risk as he returns to expected levels.
Bottom line: Contreras brings a proven, high-floor bat and solid defensive versatility that could stabilize first base for Boston in 2026. The real test will be health and how well the rest of the lineup supports him, especially with Casas’ status and any early-season roster juggling.
What do you think: will Contreras’ mix of durability and power be enough to anchor first base for Boston, or will the injury-prone history of Casas and other depth issues keep the position as a rotating puzzle for another year? Share your take in the comments.
