The Cardinals and Yadier Molina have had discussions about him joining the major league coaching staff next year, reports Katie Woo of The Athletic. The report adds that there’s mutual interest from both parties.
Molina is obviously well known around baseball and particularly in St. Louis. He just wrapped up a playing career that went from 2004 to 2022, all of that in Cardinal red. Now 41, he has previously expressed a desire to move towards managing/coaching in his post-playing career, having already gotten some experience outside of Major League Baseball. Molina has done some managing in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League as well as acting as skipper for Puerto Rican teams in international play, including the most recent World Baseball Classic.
His potential role with the Cardinals next year isn’t exactly clear, but Woo relays that it’s expected it would be an everyday position. It doesn’t currently appear as though any of the current coaches are in jeopardy, with Molina likely to be an addition rather than a replacement. Woo points out that the club had one of the smaller staffs in the league in 2023, with some players apparently expressing that there “simply wasn’t enough coaching to go around,” in Woo’s words.
Adding another coach, whether Molina or someone else, would obviously help if that’s a real problem for manager Oli Marmol and the rest of the staff. But Molina specifically could be a good fit, given his legendary status in the organization. There’s also the fact that the post-Molina era didn’t kick off with a bang. During Molina’s time as the club’s backstop, they made frequent postseason appearances and only finished below .500 once, back in 2007. But the first season after his retirement saw the club go 71-91 and fall to the basement of the National League Central.
There were whispers that some members of the St. Louis pitching staff weren’t happy with the transition to Willson Contreras, who was signed last offseason to take over Molina’s job behind the plate. Contreras was even moved off the catching position for a time this year, working as the designated hitter only, though he was back behind the plate a week later. If there’s any lingering discord between the pitchers and Contreras, perhaps Molina’s presence as a coach could help to bridge that gap.
Turning to the club’s roster, Woo discusses the club’s impending rotation work. President of baseball operations John Mozeliak has openly expressed a desire to bring in three starting pitchers this winter, in order to replace the retiring Adam Wainwright and impending free agents Jack Flaherty and Jordan Montgomery, both of whom were traded prior to the deadline. Free agency is obviously one avenue to pursuing upgrades, but the Cardinals haven’t traditionally been big spenders in that regard. Their largest free agent signing in franchise history is the $120MM deal they gave to Matt Holliday back in 2010, with Mike Leake’s $80MM deal in 2015 the largest they’ve given to a pitcher.
It seems they are giving some thought to breaking one or both of those records. They have already been connected to Sonny Gray and Aaron Nola, each of whom would likely require a deal larger than Leake’s in order to sign. Woo adds that the club is open to a reunion with Montgomery, though he’s likely pushing his next contract well into nine-figure territory, based both on his regular season work and strong playoff performance with the Rangers thus far.
Woo also adds that the Cards will “check in” on Japanese hurler Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported last week that the club is indeed interested in Yamamoto, though the extent of that interest isn’t clear. Speculation around Yamamoto’s potential contract seems to suggest he could be in line for something around $200MM, based both on his youth and his excellent results in Nippon Professional Baseball. Having just turned 25 in August, he’s far younger than typical free agents, and he also has an ERA of 1.82 over his seven NPB seasons.
Giving out a mega deal for a starting pitcher would be new territory for the Cards, but it sounds like they are exploring every avenue in order to put this rough season behind them. That will likely involve trading from their position player mix as well, though who they are willing to part with remains to be seen.
Cool then Oli can throw him under the bus when things go bad.
Mo better be ready to get an earful from Yadi because I don’t see Yadi holding back if he’s hired to have a role on the team. And sharing contrarian opinions is what got Schildt fired, sooo….
I think it would be great for the club, but Mo would have to change his tune and his style for it to work.
Lol Yadi will bat flip him into the visiting dugout and do a throat slash gesture after staring him down… didn’t you see him snuff out that steal attempt against the Giants? Yadier Molina does NOT get CHEATED, Does Not Get CHEATED
Someone get’em an ATTA BOY
Scarfaces prodigy
Tony La Russa called Yadi the smartest player he ever met. From a guy that played for three teams, managed four teams, and had front office jobs for two teams plus MLB, that’s saying a lot.
Oli might be able to throw O’Niell, Contreras, or someone else under the bus. But if Oli tried to throw Yadi under the bus, the bus would stop, back up, and run over Oli. Either that, or the bus would wind up totaled.
I agree with Cardsfan57, but with minor adjustments. Keep the bench, pitching, hitting, and other coaches and add Yadi as a different kind of coach. He could be the pitching/catching/ defensive alignment coach. In other words, the run prevention coach.
The Manager and Bench Coach could fill their traditional game roles: overall game strategy, and managing the bench and bullpen personnel. Yadi could then focus on managing the more tactical part of the game—pitch selection and defensive alignment. Pitch by pitch game tactics.
Yadi could be the primary coach for run prevention. One or more other coaches could focus on run creation. Both are essential for excellent teams.
What took so long?
Will he be allowed days off to watch his basketball team?
But I get to be the basketball…
You seem like someone who does a lot of dribbling
In my opinion, the Cardinals should hire Yadier Molina as a coach. Molina’s long and successful playing career, particularly with the Cardinals, positions him as a valuable asset to the team in a coaching role. His deep understanding of the game, exceptional leadership skills, and extensive experience as a catcher could be a tremendous advantage to the team’s players, especially the catchers and pitchers.
Molina’s strong connection to the Cardinals organization and his desire to pursue a coaching career demonstrate his commitment to the team’s success. His presence as a coach could help bridge any lingering discord between the pitchers and Willson Contreras, creating a more cohesive and effective team.
While transitioning from playing to coaching presents challenges, it’s a move that many former players have successfully made. With the right support and training, Molina can develop into an impactful coach and mentor. Given the potential benefits he brings to the team, it’s a move that aligns with the Cardinals’ goals of improving and returning to a competitive position in the league.
But you’re not seeing this for what it really is. The Cardinals have no interest in what Yadi can contribute as a coach. They have no interest in what anyone can contribute as a coach. The front office believes they know everything there is to know and all they need is a mouthpiece to pass down their holy wisdom.
The Cardinals are interested in Yadi for reasons of sentiment only. ONLY. If he offers an opinion, especially one that contradicts anything passed down from on high, he will be politely asked to keep quiet and look dignified sitting in the dugout. They carry one of the smallest coaching staffs to limit the possibility of dissent.
You obviously don’t know Yadi or that you read the article. Go take your meds
If you took my comment to be a dig at Yadi or his ability to help the team, you got it wrong. My issue is with the front office.
Where was that leadership in 2022 when this team was pushing for the playoffs and Yadi was nowhere to be seen because Puerto Rico basketball took preference?
Bringing people back to get the warm and fuzzys is what started this whole mess in 2012 with Mike Matheny. If you really think that he impressed the front office over Terry Francona then you have zero idea what’s going on.
Mozeliak needs to go and the Cardinals need to hire the best coaching staff available regardless if they are former Cardinals or not.
Side note….the whole thing about the players not liking Contreras is crap. You know Yadi is gone and you are a professional. You need to adjust to the situation. Of course the resigning of a 40+ year old broken down pitcher isn’t a very inspiring move either.
This would be a huge win for the Cardinals. Not a coincidence the team fell apart as soon as he left.
There’s just so much wrong with this, I hope it happens.
I really don’t see a mid 40s Latin male being able to connect with early 20s white dudes. The hard accent trumps his accomplishments. I’m Hispanic myself so I can say this
Yeah, a future, Hall of Fame player, who played 19 seasons, all for the same team, certainly couldn’t connect or get the respect of the “dudes” that grew up watching him.
“GuYZ Gwe helf to PlAy Harrer!” How long can dudes hear that before they tune him out.
Mis…not very long…I’ve already tuned you out.
Mis, did you WATCH allllll the Cardinal players following Yadi and Pujols around the dugout alllll year in 2022?!?!
Broken English or not, those guys are gamers and they are leaders. Players know that when they see it…it’s a shame you don’t see it, too.
Idk he just seems like an unrelatable hot head to me. That growing gut isn’t going to convince any infielders to run out a groundout either. He was a great player tho.
He seemed to be a able to run a pitching staff and be a clubhouse leader for years without issue.
When he was playing. It’s like hearing your parents b.itch and complain and challenging you do something. It kinda loses its effect after the fact. It’s easier to listen to people more relatable like your peers.
So a player with an accent has no trouble connecting with and leading players. But the same exact guy loses that ability when he gets older because of his accent?
I feel like It’s different leading as a player than as a manager. It’s like Justin Verlander as a pitcher would lead differently than JV as a manager in my opinion.
So according to your logic, teams just shouldn’t have coaches anymore and let the players coach themselves? This is just a weird, weird take.
He seems like a hot head, and a bit out of touch . Think of Draymon Green as a player: ooooo ahhh. As a coach: nahhhh
Comparing Draymon Green to Yadier Molina is absolutely WILD.
Molinas reputation literally hinges on his ability to lead. That’s not just going to evaporate because he retired.
What type of accent does Verlander have? I guess your point is just that older people have issues connecting with younger people.
The guys he would be coaching grew up idolizong him… wanting to pitch to him… you kidding me? Also, this puts marmot in the hot seat officially
First you sound like a white guy who wants to talk some stuff and pretend to be another race. I know this because I never mention on here what I am. Also you clearly don’t know anything about baseball, the cardinals and the success Yadi has with connecting with all pitchers and how he can help with Contreras and bring some life and edge to the clubhouse of motivating he doesn’t lose!! Go seek help.
Fans would love it when they see Yadi in Busch Stadium again.
But being an incredible player doesn’t mean you’re a good teacher. Just look at Ted Williams.
One school of thought is that coaches who were great players can’t relate to young players because they were so talented themselves that they didn’t need to work hard or depend overmuch on coaching to succeed. On the other hand, catchers tend to make good managers.
As a catcher, the role has teaching and coaching baked into the job. And Yadi has been lauded for those skill for many years.
The biggest challenge I see is Yadi not ruffling feathers with management since Yadi wants to WIN and management wants to make money and also win, if that can be worked out.
I can foresee Yadi and Mo getting in heated arguments and that doesn’t work for Mo…just ask Mike Schildt who was fired for speaking up, despite being very good and finishing third for Manager of the Year when he was canned.
Overall the Cardinals are deficient in pimping big homeruns so Yadi could get right in there I think and make a difference.
When Molina goes into the hall I hope they use the picture of him with his hands on his hips and a ball stuck to his chest protector
I wish more people appreciated this spot on comment
With all that negativity you put into the world it’s no wonder you’re such a miserable person.
Yet, you can’t keep away. Weird how you never EVER say anything on any post, anything to do with baseball, anything to do with rumors, chats, etc until I pull you and your stupid face out from your tiny life.
I was here long before you and I’ll be here after you’re gone. I’m sorry that you don’t see any other posts but rest assured your ignorance isn’t the only thing I comment on.
The ONLY thing you do is complain and trash teams/players. You never have anything constructive to say, just negativity. Like I said before, clearly you’re an unhappy person so you try to bring everyone else down to your level of misery. I almost feel sorry for you but then you comment and all my sympathy goes out the window.
lol. Okay okay. Allow me to repent. I’ll send a donation to the Rainbow Push Coalition in your honor… Or Jerry’s Kids. Whichever. Your choice homie.
I dunno, Slider is pretty committed to his/her bit. He/she’s survived what, 5, 6, 7? bans and name changes to make it to the Slider we know and love.
I believe Molina took a ball to the testicles at least once, too.
You’re just using Molina to use “testicals” in your sentence.
We’ll played , rod.
If he joins that Staff he will eventually replace Marmol. Book it!
Kinda surprised I didn’t see this sooner. How do Cards fans feel about this? What if his tenure is a failure, would it mar their view of him?
It wouldn’t mar my opinion of him. It didn’t mar my opinion of Bob Gibson. I would be shocked if he failed. He’s another of those catchers who has always been a student and a teacher of the game.
You probably should explain what that means because it appears you’re the only one who knows.
Rez….He means if God was our father then surely Satan must be our cousin? Why didn’t anyone else understand these important things?
Molina is the perfect bench coach and mentor to Contreras. Yadi didn’t just handle the pitching staff, he also positioned the defense back when they had one of the best.
He was a player coach for years. I don’t see a learning curve.
I don’t think there is a singleformer player who is more deserving to coach a single team then yadi is to coach the Cardinals.
They need to move on from the Molina era already. Such a backwards stuck in the past franchise. Alienate their massive free agent catcher because he’s not a hall of famer. Delude themselves into thinking a mediocre core with a couple of all stars can compete for a title. They had an out of the rest of Arenado’s contract and didn’t take it lmao. Enjoy it for his mid 30s
There isn’t a single team in the league who would have opted out of Arenado’s contract.
Yadi as bench coach and replace Marmol when the team inevitably underperfoms again next season
Thats got to be Plan A. Plan B is do it at the end of August if theybare stinking the place up again.
Yadier was basically a second pitching coach pretty much his entire tenure as a Cardinal, this would probably help solve a lot of the issues Marmol and Mo had with Contreras when they had their drama out in the public early in the season.
Since Oli and Blake have no clue what the hell they are doing, this would be a great move.
I think Yadi should/deserves a couple years off. Give him time to be with his family and for him to see how much he misses the game. This is coming from a Mets fan.
Why not simply fire Oli and make Yadi manager? Moe, be a man and make an easy decision for once. Oli has zero locker room cred and zero authority in the dugout. Fire the computer geek weirdo and go with the brains and authority and passion of the one Yadi Molina, Manager St Louis Cardinals.
Don’t do it Yadi. Mo wants you to play the part of Jimmy Dugan. He wants to use you as a PR stunt. He wants you to wave your hat to the crowd to help them remember the good times and forget the current disaster. Don’t do it.
Take the Brewers job if it comes open. They actually appreciate a competent manager. Stick it in Mo’s ear every chance you get. When the current clown posse gets the ax in St. Louis, be the knight in shining armor that rides into town to save the day. Don’t jump on board the Titanic.
That would be the biggest of his horrible decisions. If yadi comes in and he leaves or is let go, it’ll go over like a lead balloon. Mo’s reputation can’t hold a candle to yadi. It’s probably the single biggest issue at the moment…oli sees the writing on the wall. I’d imagine there are many teams happy to interview him for a coaching spot.
The best pitching coach the Cardinals have had in decades was Dave Duncan – a former catcher. I think Yadi would be amazing helping the pitchers learn to build game plans.