(ST. LOUIS) — The St. Louis Cardinals have added three young pitchers to their organization through a trade with the Boston Red Sox announced Sunday, sending veteran first baseman Willson Contreras to Boston along with cash.
The Cardinals will receive right-handed pitchers Hunter Dobbins, Blake Aita and Yhoiker Fajardo in the deal. Dobbins has been placed on St. Louis’ 40-man roster.
The move continues St. Louis’ effort to rebuild with younger talent under President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom.
“With this trade, we continue to bring young talent to the Cardinals to help us both in 2026 and for years to come,” Bloom said in a statement.
Dobbins, 26, brings major league experience to the Cardinals after pitching for Boston last season. The Texas native posted a 4-1 record with a 4.13 ERA across 13 appearances before an ACL injury ended his season in July. He threw 61 innings for the Red Sox and was selected in the eighth round of the 2021 draft from Texas Tech.
Aita, a 22-year-old from Tennessee, recently completed his first professional season after being drafted in the sixth round last year from Kennesaw State. He went 5-7 with a 3.98 ERA while pitching in Boston’s Single-A and High-A affiliates.
The youngest player in the trade is Fajardo, a 19-year-old Venezuelan right-hander who pitched in Boston’s lower minor league levels this past season. He recorded a 2.25 ERA over 72 innings between two levels.
Contreras departs St. Louis after three seasons with the club. The 33-year-old transitioned from catcher to first base in 2025 and hit .261 with 20 home runs and 80 RBI last season.
