- LOUIS, MO., December 22, 2025 – The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that they have completed a four-player trade with the Boston Red Sox, acquiring right-handed pitchers Hunter Dobbins, Blake Aita and Yhoiker Fajardo in exchange for first baseman Willson Contreras and cash considerations. Dobbins will be added to the Cardinals 40-player Major League roster.
“With this trade, we continue to bring young talent to the Cardinals to help us both in 2026 and for years to come,” stated Cardinals President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom. “The ability and competitiveness that Hunter Dobbins possesses has already given him a taste of big league success, and we are excited for him to join the other young arms on our 40-man roster. We’re also eager to welcome Blake Aita and Yhoiker Fajardo, who have both gotten their minor league careers off to impressive starts. Each has the upside to impact the game at the highest level, and we look forward to supporting them as they move forward in their development with us.”
Dobbins, 26, made his Major league debut last season with Boston where he was 4-1 with a 4.13 ERA in 13 games (11 starts) while compiling 61.0 innings pitched before suffering a season-ending ACL injury in July. The 6-2, 210-pound Bryan, Texas native was an 8th round draft selection by the Red Sox in 2021 out of Texas Tech University. Following the 2024 season, Dobbins was ranked by Baseball America as the Red Sox’ No. 11 prospect and their No. 4 pitching prospect, and he was noted as having the best control among BoSox minor league pitchers.
Aita, 22, made his professional debut last season in the Red Sox farm system, going a combined 5-7 with a 3.98 ERA in 23 games (19 starts) with Salem (A) and Greenville (High-A), holding the opposition to a .215 batting mark and 1.05 WHIP in his 115.1 innings pitched.
The 6-4, 215-pound Aita was drafted by the Red Sox in the 6th round in 2024 out of Kennesaw State University. A native of Hermitage, Tenn., Aita was named Carolina League Pitcher of the Week twice last season while pitching for Salem.
Fajardo, 19, a native of Villa de Cura, Aragua, Venezuela was acquired by the Red Sox from the Chicago White Sox last December and appeared in 19 games (17 starts) between the Florida Complex League Red Sox (R) and Salem (A) in 2025, posting a 2.25 ERA over his 72.0 combined innings pitched. The 6-3, 181-pound right-hander was recently rated 9th among the Red Sox top prospects for 2026 by Baseball America.
Contreras, 33, spent three seasons with St. Louis from 2023-25, making the transition from catcher to first baseman this past season. He batted .261 with 55 HR’s and 183 RBI in his 344 games played as a Cardinal and led the team with 20 HR’s and 80 RBI in 2025.
