The rivalry between the Yankees and the Red Sox is alive and well.
Just over a month after newly acquired Red Sox pitcher Sonny Gray labeled his former team “easy to hate,” Boston’s new first baseman followed suit by taking a shot at the Yankees.
Willson Contreras, who like Gray was acquired in a trade with the Cardinals, made it clear he doesn’t join his new team with good feelings for his AL East rivals.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Contreras said of facing the Yankees during a Zoom call with reporters Wednesday. “Every time I play against the Yankees, from [my time] with the Cubs of St. Louis my mentality was different. We have to win, we have to win, we have to win. And we have to play good baseball.
“I know the Yankees are a very good team and they have very good players. But I’m not coming to Boston just to like the Yankees, because that’s not going to happen.”
“They’re probably going to hate me when we play against each other, but I’m going to play with fire, I’m going to play with emotion and show that we can win.”
Contreras, 33, was dealt to the Red Sox in late December after the Mets explored acquiring him as a possible replacement for the departed Pete Alonso.
The three-time All-Star, who has spent most of his career as a catcher, is having a solid offensive season with St. Louis.
In 135 games, he slashed .257/.344/.447 with 20 home runs and 80 RBIs.
His comments echo those of Gray, who had disappointing results during a season and a half in New York — after allegedly “lying” to Yankees general manager Brian Cashman about wanting to wear the pinstripes.
“It feels good for me to go to a place where it’s easy to hate the Yankees,” Gray said during his introductory presser.
“I never wanted to go there in the first place.”
In addition to Gray and Contreras, the Red Sox also acquired starter Johan Oviedo from the Pirates earlier this season.
Boston also agreed to a five-year, $130 million deal with All-Star left-hander Ranger Suarez on Wednesday. The Post’s Jon Heyman first reported.
After seeing third baseman Alex Bregman leave for the Cubs in free agency, Boston reportedly continues to explore the market for infield help.
Boston has been linked to shortstop Bo Bichette, who has also received interest from the Yankees and met with the Phillies earlier this week.
Contreras told reporters he would speak with his good friend, free agent third baseman Eugenio Suarez, about possibly joining Beantown.
“I haven’t talked to him in a few days,” Contreras said.
“We’re very close. We’re friends, Eugenio is one of my best friends. He’s a great guy, a great hitter. But we’ll see what we can do about him because he came to Boston.”
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