Willson Contreras Acknowledges His Own Fault in Cade Cavalli Fight. Now He Wants to Talk.

Willson Contreras is ready to have a conversation. But he’s not going to chase anyone down for it.

The Boston Red Sox first baseman spoke Tuesday about the benches-clearing incident with Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli back on June 30 at Fenway Park. And what he said wasn’t the typical post-fight athlete boilerplate. He actually took some blame.

NESN posted a clip from the clubhouse showing Contreras being direct about where things stand. He hasn’t heard from Cavalli since that night. But he’s not slamming the door either.

“I’m open to reunite or have a meeting with him, for sure,” Contreras said. “I’m not a guy that holds grudges against people. I’m at fault as well, and that’s why I apologize.”

Let’s rewind that last part. He apologized. Publicly. For his role in it. That’s not nothing.

The whole mess started with a bad loss and a worse comment

The incident happened after Cavalli struck out Contreras and made a remark that crossed a line. Exactly what was said hasn’t been fully repeated in press releases, but it was enough to clear both benches. Multiple players were ejected. MLB handed down suspensions to Contreras and Cavalli — seven games each initially. Cavalli’s was reduced to five on appeal. Nationals pitcher Miles Mikolas and Red Sox outfielder Nate Eaton also got discipline.

Cavalli apologized publicly not long after. But Contreras’ comments Tuesday made it clear there hasn’t been a real sit-down between them yet. No phone call. No handshake. That part is still pending.

And that’s where the interesting bit lives. Contreras isn’t the kind of guy who needs a public feud to feel right. He said he’s at fault too. That matters because it’s rare to hear a player in the middle of a suspension voluntarily point the finger back at himself. Most guys will say “I was defending myself” or “it’s part of the game.” Contreras basically said “yeah I messed up too.”

For Boston, the timing works. The Red Sox are trying to stay focused on the second half of the season. They don’t need lingering drama distracting a clubhouse that’s already dealing with enough. Contreras giving that quote helps shift the temperature down a few degrees.

The Nationals and Red Sox don’t play again this regular season unless they meet in the playoffs. So any face-to-face resolution would have to be intentional. Contreras says he’s open to it. That’s the first real step toward putting this thing to bed.