Yadier Molina is an accomplished catcher. He’s won two World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals and is known for his leadership skills, his elite defense, and his ability to call a game. He is no longer an asset with the bat, but those traits would come in handy for both the New York Yankees and Mets.
Since Molina is a free agent, the Yankees and Mets recently came up in reports as being interested in his services. He remains a likely candidate to return to the Cards, where he has played his whole career, at some point, but that doesn’t mean other teams don’t want him.
In fact, two additional clubs are interested in Molina, according to what the All-Star catcher told Laura Bonnelly of Mas Que Pelota. Those teams are the San Diego Padres, and the Los Angeles Angels.
Yadier quiere quedarse en San Luis, Planea jugar dos años más, le manda un consejo a Gary Sánchez, habla del caso de Canó y mucho más. Veanla completa https://t.co/FvpGixznKr pic.twitter.com/l4wa6Y3nbD
— Laura A. Bonnelly V. (@LaurabonnellyV) November 26, 2020
Molina spoke with Bonnelly on Thursday. The nine-time Gold Glove award winner is looking for a two-year deal in this free agency period. It could be his last contract, as he is approaching the end of his fantastic playing career.
Molina said he’s looking to sign with a contending club and that he’s not focused on the money aspect, but rather winning a third ring before he calls it a career. The Yankees fit the bill, but of course, he reiterated that his preference would be to return to the Cardinals, as he has played in St. Louis for 17 years.
What will the Yankees do at catcher?
The Yankees have Gary Sanchez and Kyle Higashioka under contract for the 2021 season, but the former struggled so much (.147 batting average, 36% strikeout rate, 69 wRC+) that he was benched in the playoffs to play Higgy, a career 55 wRC+ hitter.
The Mets, meanwhile, decided not to offer Wilson Ramos a chance to exercise the club option he had, and now they don’t have a starting catcher. They are reportedly after J.T. Realmuto, but he would be much more expensive than Molina.
It remains to be seen whether the New York Yankees make a strong push for Molina. His preference appears to be returning to St. Louis, but only time will tell.