I don't think even the Cardinals are going to keep him at C, his history throwing out base stealers will preclude that. However, that bat is real and he could easily move to 1B or a corner OF and you have a .300 hitting 25 homer dude.

Don't think it makes much sense for either team. Part of the reason Contreras got moved to 1st base was because the Cardinals were confident in Herrera. Herrera's glove has graded around average which is good enough. He's played exclusively at catcher in the majors. The guy also Just seems like a foundational piece they want in their young core. Mariners are plenty deep at catcher and the outfield as well. And while I get that the Cardinals have good near ready catching prospects, but that's a later problem.

The Cardinals will move him out from behind the plate this year or next. Crooks, in AAA this year is the backstop in '26 with pages backing him up. Contreras moved to 1st to keep his bat in the lineup, he only played 1/2 a season last year and they need his bat. If he wasn't playing there, the Cards would transition Ivan to 1B for '26.