Cardinals GM John Mozeliak addressed the contract situation of long-time catcher Yadier Molina with Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Though he declined to address specifics of any extension talks, Mozeliak emphasized that the club is “always open for business.”
That comment largely confirms the status quo; it has long been assumed that the Cards would attempt to work out a new contract for Molina, whose former extension includes only a mutual option for 2018. As camp opened, the sides were said to have begun at least preliminary talks, and agent Melvin Roman said recently that “both sides are trying to work hard and see if we can make it happen.” At the moment, Molina is away from the club while he competes with the Puerto Rican entrant in the World Baseball Classic.
But Mozeliak did also make clear that the organization wouldn’t put any timelines on talks. “We are not a deadline organization, historically,” he explained. “So, as far as timing and how that goes, I’m not drawing any lines in the sand.” Whether or not Molina and his representatives would be amenable to continuing discussions into the season remains to be seen, though Mozeliak’s comments seem to put that possibility on the table.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals GM didn’t express any alarm at recent comments from former big leaguer Bengie Molina, who suggested his brother would test free agency if he didn’t receive an offer to his liking. That’s to be expected, Mozeliak indicated. Much as the Cardinals star will be looking out for his own interests, the veteran exec says he’ll be “trying to do what’s best for [the Cardinals] organization,” noting that “there is always a short-term approach and a long-term approach” that must be accounted for even as he acknowledged Molina’s importance to the team.
Molina’s central role and workhorse approach present a somewhat unique situation. At 34 years of age, it’s at best questionable whether Molina can continue to thrive while playing 130 or more games annually. And the team has a prized prospect on the way in Carson Kelly. Figuring out how lengthy a commitment to make, and at what price, isn’t straightforward for the Cards. Molina’s current contract paid him $75MM over five years, with the final $2MM of that guarantee coming in the form of a buyout of the $15MM mutual option.
I wish my favorite team had a player like Yadier Molina. He’s so good at such a vital position that he’ll never play on a bad team. Aside from Buster Posey, I’ve never seen a catcher impact an organization as much. They’re lucky to have him.
Jason Varitek was amazing for Boston for several years, and most of it was intangible.
Mike Piazza for the Mets
Javy Lopez for the Braves
Brian McCann for the Braves
Ivan Rodriguez for the Rangers
Jorge Posada for the Yanks
Matt Weiters for the Orioles
Just to name a few
Not buying your list other than Piazza and Pudge (and maybe not Piazza, who was a Met only about 7 years). The OP’s point was catcher impact on an org, not just good catchers. I don’t think most of these guys were the heart and soul of an organization for over a decade. Heck, McCann is younger than Molina — is anybody saying the Yankees just lost their most important player?
Posada was definitely an player who impacted the Yankees. The Big 4 were Jeter, Posada, Rivera and Pettite(Not sure if I spelled that right). They were definitely the heart and soul of the Yankees for a long time
dude seriously? even pudge wasn’t a long time Ranger, and I love pudge. he bounced around all over the place. every one of those catchers mentioned definitely empacted their teams and then some.
we also can’t forget Campanella, Bench, Munson, Fisk, Berra… just to name a few.
molina is definitely a strong mention as is posey. and piazza? not only did he carry the mets he also lifted not only the country but a state that needed to be lifted in its time of need.
Mets have to be a team to watch for Yadier in offseason. That pitching staff with Molina behind the plate would be insane!! Plus they will have money to spend with Grandy, Bruce, Duda, Walker all off the books and possibly Reyes, Wright, Harvey as well.
Not likely he is leaving Cards. Mets better look elsewhere.
Mets will get him. I guarantee it
I just can’t see Molina playing for any other team at this stage of his career. His 2018 option will almost certainly be picked up, unless he just has an unbelievably bad season this year. This would put him on the open market at 35, and even though it is Yadi, I can’t see too many teams willing to give a 35 year old catcher who has played as many games as he has a huge contract. I think he is worth more to the Cardinals organization than any other team, and an extension will get done at some point this season. My guess is something like picking up his 2018 option, and adding 2 more years and $25m to the deal. 3/40 covering 2018-2020 is my guess.
The option is mutual so even if team picks it up, he could decline and enter FA. Mutual options almost never get picked up by both parties. They either extend him this year or free agency this offseason are only two realistic options.
This is a unique situation. I wonder how fluid it is based on Kelly’s upcoming year
Bengie’s little brother is 34… geez, time flies.
… good point on Varitek, but his wearing of the “C” was downright obnoxious. Point stands, no less, on intangibles. Still, head-to-head, I take Yadi.
It’ll be a nice final payday for one of the class acts of baseball. Hopefully, they begin utilizing more of a two-catcher system to protect Molina from showing any steep decline.
I am bias. I think the Cardinals should pay Molina as if he were going to have 3-4 more good years. Possibly even the last 2 years of of his contract being a player/coach. Then pick him up as a full time coach in years to come. (Preferably a pitching coach)