But the St. Louis Cardinals must determine in 2025 who Ivan Herrera can be — and will be — in 2026 and beyond.

St. Louis Cardinals slugger Willson Contreras showed up heavier than normal in hopes of producing more power in 2025.

Willson Contreras is casting a broader shadow in St. Louis Cardinals' camp this spring, physical modifications resulting from a weight-room regimen he adopted to bulk up for a move to first base.

After a potential Nolan Arenado trade with the Houston Astros got stymied at the last moment, St. Louis president John Mozeliak more or less sat on his hands, refusing to get off of any of the team's veterans while also refusing to add any talent (or payroll) that might help the team contend in the short term.

This position change for Contreras comes after the 32-year-old played only 84 games last season due to multiple injuries. The hope from here is that this change to first base will allow him to stay healthier and make a more significant impact at the plate as the Cardinals look to bounce back in 2025.

Noticeably larger through the chest and arms thanks to all the extra time he’s spent in the weight room as of late, Willson Contreras’ confidence was very much on display during a recent FaceTime call with his brother,

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras runs to force out Washington Nationals' Daylen Lile at first on a ground out during the second inning of a spring training baseball

If the team couldn't move Nolan Arenado, they should have at least dealt closer Ryan Helsley and right-hander Erick Fedde.

Asked if he had a home run total in mind for his inaugural season out of shin pads, Contreras smirked and relayed a conversation he recently had with his brother, William, the catcher for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Willson Contreras is casting a broader shadow in St. Louis Cardinals' camp this spring, physical modifications resulting from a weight-room regimen he adopted to bulk up for a move to first base.