*Photo from The Athletic*
Yadier Molina is back. The St.Louis Cardinals and longtime Cardinal catcher Molina are in agreement on a one year deal worth $9 million, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. MLB Network's Jon Heyman added that there are also incentives based on awards won this season, and a full no trade clause. The Cardinals have confirmed the contract.
Molina said earlier today of returning to the Cardinals that "This is my home. I'm happy to be here. I'm happy to be back. It was fun to be part of the free-agent process, but on my mind it always was St. Louis first choice, and we did everything we could to get the deal done and I’m happy to be back again."
Molina still put up solid numbers in the Pandemic shortened 60 game season, posting a .262 average with a .662 OPS, hitting 4 homers and driving in 16 runs in 42 games played for the Cardinals in the regular season. In Molina's 17 big league seasons, all with the Cardinals, he has an average of .281 with a .737 OPS, hitting 160 homers and 932 RBI in 2,025 games played.
Molina has built up a legendary career in his 17 Cardinals seasons, and not just by helping contribute to the team's world series titles in 2006 and 2011. He has been selected to 9 all star games in his career, including a stretch of 7 straight all star game appearances from 2009 to 2015. He also has 9 gold gloves and 4 platinum gloves to his name as he has been one of baseball's best defensive catchers in his career.
Molina addressed whether or not this season will be his last in the majors, saying that "We’re going year by year, obviously, right now that’s the type of contract we are. But I’m concentrating on this year. We’ve got a great team. I’m excited to be on this team with a bunch of great players. I’m concentrating on this year. Hopefully we’ll stay healthy, everyone, and we’ll bring the championship this year. After that we’ll look and see and decide what the future is."
Despite the Cardinals having lost Dexter Fowler via trade and Kolten Wong via free agency this winter, the team has brought back Molina and longtime Cardinal Adam Wainwright, and also traded for superstar 3B Nolan Arenado from the Colorado Rockies, putting them as the favorites to win the NL Central in 2021.
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