SUNDAY: The Cardinals are “prepared to make a significant offer to keep” Molina in the fold, according to chairman Bill Dewitt Jr. (via Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch). “We’d love to have him stay,” Dewitt added. While Molina “would love to stay,” he noted that there are “too many catchers making more money” than him (though only Buster Posey, Russell Martin and Brian McCann have higher salaries among backstops). On whether the Redbirds would be willing to make Molina the majors’ highest-paid catcher, Dewitt stated: “He would certainly be one of the highest-paid catchers. Part of that is (annual average value), part of it is length. That all factors into what he ends up looking for and what makes sense for the club.”
SATURDAY: Yadier Molina has set Opening Day as the deadline to reach a contract extension with the Cardinals, the catcher tells MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch (Twitter links) and other reporters. Like most players, Molina doesn’t want to be distracted by negotiations dragging on into the season. If a new deal isn’t reached, the longtime St. Louis star said he isn’t afraid to hit the open market.
The two sides began preliminary talks about a new deal over a month ago, and Cards GM John Mozeliak said last week that the team would be open to continuing discussions into the season, since the Cardinals “are not a deadline organization, historically.” It seems as if the Cardinals are trying to be as flexible as possible in handling Molina’s extension case, perhaps a wise tactic when determining the future production of a workhorse catcher who turns 35 in July.
Molina has already signed two extensions with the Cardinals during his career, and is entering the last guaranteed season of a five-year, $75MM pact. (That deal contains a $15MM mutual option for 2018 with a $2MM buyout, though like most mutual options, it seems quite unlikely to be exercised.) It’s hard to argue that the catcher hasn’t been worth that investment, as Molina has hit .296/.341/.412 since the start of the 2013 season while generating 12.1 fWAR and has continued to provide his customary strong defense behind the plate. While Molina’s performance dipped a bit in 2015, he bounced back to hit .307/.360/.427 over 581 PA last season.
While the Cardinals have extended certain veteran stars (such as Molina himself and Adam Wainwright) rather than letting them test free agent waters, the club has also been willing to let franchise icons leave — i.e. Albert Pujols — if it feels the cost will be too prohibitive. While Molina obviously won’t require nearly as massive a commitment as Pujols, there aren’t many catchers who have remained both healthy and productive enough to merit an eight-figure annual salary into their mid-to-late 30’s.
Molina, for his part, tells Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and other reporters that he isn’t close to the end of his career. “I’ve still got many years in the tank. Believe me,” Molina said. “I feel great. I feel like a 20-year-old kid.” Molina’s remarkable durability notwithstanding, the Cardinals could explore extending Molina and then using him at first base in future years to keep him fresh and to ease top prospect Carson Kelly into catching duties.
“Like most players, Molina doesn’t want to be distracted by negotiations dragging on into the season.”
Like most players, Molina is being dishonest with a negotiation tactic. They pay their agents to shield from distractions, and a pro should not be crippled by discussing their own future and legacy.
I’m fine with it, just wish they’d talk straight: “I’m putting a deadline on this to either get a good deal now, or become a free agent later.”
Tough decision. Basically sign yadi and block top catching prospect Carson kelly or let him walk and watch face of franchise wear another uniform. Yadi will never sit for kelly or anyone else and as long as matheny is manager he will never be benched. So in that scenario best move is to trade kelly why is value high. Otherwise go with kelly next year and see yadi in another uniform. Tough decision, glad it’s not me. I have faith in cards and mozeliak as they have gotten right 100% with who to resign and who to let walk.
He gave cards big hometown discount on 5/75. Will he this time? Kelly is just a prospect. Montero is gone at end of year would Cubs try and sign him?
He didn’t give them a discount. That was a huge contract for catcher at the time.
Mauer made 23 million back then. Now Russell martin 20 mil, McCann 17 mil Montero 14 mil. Crazy . He should get 3 year 45-50 mil.
his hometown is in peurto rico. when did they get an mlb team?
Ha his $$ comes from good ole USA.
“I love Yadier Molina, but I thought he’d get 4/40 or something. 5/60 seems high, 5/75 seems nutty.” – David Cameron, Fangraphs
Why is giving some context to the extension getting down-voted?
I was thinking that maybe move Kelly back to his original spot at third. And sign yadi to a 2 year or 3 year deal for 18mil a year. Even though it’s a lot to pay for an aging catcher.
I can see the cardinals thinking about moving Kelly back to third only if he continues to mature offensively.
Kelly isn’t going to any other position. Bottom line
That would be a horrible move.
Professional athletes nearly always think they can play longer than what reality says. The confidence they use to excel on the field can be a double-edged sword when it comes down to looking objectively at the second half of the career.
The second half of this guy’s career has been pretty good so far.
I hear alot about the Cardinal Way and the pipeline of talent. I don’t know much about their prospects in the farm, but being they are a well run franchise, don’t they have any catchers that are waiting to be yadis successor?
ok Carson kelly…anyone else?
Kelly is the #1 rated catching prospect in baseball. You want more?
I was thinking the same.
lol right? What is this dude talking about
The Cardinals had the good sense not to overpay Pujols, who was the ultimate face of franchise superstar..
Who would top their offer for Molina? Yadi is greatly respected but he’s a catcher. Whoever antes up would be paying for past performance.
This isn’t rocket science. Who wants to be Artie Moreno 2.0?
Cardinals will likely keep him, at their price, after everyone else declines to pay. He’s worth more to St. Louis than he is to anyone else.
If he gets a crazy offer like Pujols did he’ll take it and leave. If he does, the Cardinals will come out ahead and the fan base won’t blame Mozeliak.
Montero makes 14 million. Someone will pay.
Yadi doesn’t hit well enough to be a regular first baseman. What is wrong with Kelly backing up Molina until Molina backs up Kelly?
And when Yadi’s skills finally do deteriorate to where he can’t play, he can be “promoted” to third base, pitching, or bench coach. He is one of the smartest players in the game, a hard worker, and a natural leader. I see nothing wrong with overpaying a Coach for a year or two to keep a valuable asset and icon within an organization.
What’s wrong with Kelly backing up Molina is that it cripples his offensive development. Yadi played in 147 games last year. Kelly needs consistent plate appearances, and the only place for that is starting or AAA.
I agree with that for 2017 and some uncertain time after that.
There is nothing wrong with Kelly being the backup. Kelly just like Yadi as a young player is known for his D not his bat.
I highly doubt Yadi gets 20 plus million per on market.
I wouldn’t be surprised by a 3/54 deal with option year or two.
You can cut Yadis games back. Instead of catching 150 games, he can catch 90-100 games. That leaves plenty of games for a rookie backstop.
That will never happen with yadi or matheny. Yadi either plays or is iniured. Never benched and very seldom rested.
Molina hits pretty well, I don’t see how that’d make a difference with him at first.
Oh come on don’t be purposefully obtuse. You know what the phrase “hometown discount” means and it doesn’t (in most cases ha) literally mean the place a player was born and raised.
I’d be wary to commit to a 35 + year old catcher, even a catcher as good as Molina has been. Historically, the odds are against the player performing to the level of the contract.
I honestly would give him what he wants in reason. Losing such a big piece, production/defensive/club house wise, is a mistake, even at his age. He clearly isn’t like most catchers and appears to have great durability. I’d even go as far to hold him to 40, after that I think it’s beyond reasonable.
You want to move the best catching prospect in baseball away from his position?
Especially when last year was the first year of his young career where it actually looked like he could hit a baseball…
He’s arguably* the best catching prospect in baseball because of his defense. Moving Kelly off catcher would be idiotic.
*Personally, I’d still pretty easily take Mejia and Alfaro ahead of him (as would Baseball America).
Where are you getting that he is the best catching prospect? I think the only place that i’ve seen him ranked 1st is mlb’s list, which is horrible. He’s not first on fangraphs, BA, or BP.
Molina is 34 years old. How much longer can he realistically play catcher?
About 5-6 years if he’s the same as his brothers. I feel like they should sign him and flip kelly. Chances are they can find another catcher prospect or free agent when time comes. In about a year kelly needs to be in big leagues and playing at least most of the time. Not happening with yadi as catcher unless he is injured.
Interesting thought. Doesn’t cost anything to dangle him out there and see what offers are. I’m a catcher fan though . Seeing Molina in another jersey would be just wrong
Face it. Carson Kelly can’t hit major league pitching for a descent average right now. He isn’t as totally good of as catcher as Yadi. You know what you have with Molina. Even with “declining skills” over the next 3 years, Molina is better that Carson Kelly!! Carson Kelly is a #1 PROSPECT. Molina is a multi-time all-star, gold glove catcher, and always a big game asset. Give him 3years at 57 million with an option year as a player/coach. Then sign him up for 5 years after that as a coach, instructor, and maybe even the Pitching Coach. There will be many other catchers like Carson Kelly’s ability in the next 3 years!!! Theater is only one Yadier Molina!!!!!!!!
Should have said; “There is only one…..Yadier Molina!”
Birds need to make a forward looking business decision based on expected production. They must avoid a sentimental/emotional based decision. They really couldn’t be setup any better to replace Molina w/ Kelly. Wherever Molina signs it is going to be an overpay, it will be just a matter of degree. IMO, when evaluating the outlook of the Cardinals organization moving forward it doesn’t look like the Cardinals should be knowingly overpaying an old declining catcher. They could use that money in much more efficient ways. IMO, the answer is simple…let him test free agency.
Bill, if it were anyone else but Molina, I would agree with you. Yadi is much more than a Cardinal player. He’s their quarterback and leader. Kelly has my impressed me as a player that’s ready for the MLB. Throwing out runners, he has a poor percentage. Hitting… can’t hit his weight yet.
If I’m the Cardinals, I drag out the negotiations. Yadi shuts down the talks once the season starts (not my fault, I tried to get it done). Then I watch and see his performance. If he repeats last year, I don’t see him gaining any value. I negotiate to sign him on the open market. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of teams looking for older players (see Bautista, EE, and Pagan). If he has a bad season, the fans are more understanding. I just don’t see a down side to waiting.
In my honest opinion the Cardinals should stay away from an overpriced contract for Molina. All be it as valuable as he is to the organization at what cost would it be an obstruction to the organization. If Molina is dead set on testing the free agent market then I say make the ultimate trade. The White Sox need a catcher and we need a pitcher. Yadi for Jose Quintana straight up. Both teams get what they need. Problem Solved!!!!!