MLB.com's Matthew Leach reports that Cardinals GM John Mozeliak said he expects to exercise Yadier Molina's $7MM club option tomorrow. B.J. Rains of FOXSportsMidwest.com echoed the statement and took it one step further, stating that Mozeliak has confirmed the option will be picked up (Twitter link).
There was never any doubt as to whether or not Molina would be back in 2012. The 28-year-old Puerto Rico native is well-renowned for his prowess behind the plate, but he also turned in the finest offensive season of his career in 2011. Molina battted .305/.349/.465 and swatted a career-high 14 homers in 518 plate appearances for the World Champion Cardinals.
Molina signed a four-year, $15.5MM deal in lieu of arbitration back in January of 2008. This option year pushes the total value of his contract to $21.75MM over five years.
