Both the Mets and Yankees have reached out to Yadier Molina’s camp to express interest in the veteran catcher, reports Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter). The Cardinals icon has also heard from at least three others, per Heyman.
It’s not surprising that either New York club would at least explore the possibility of bringing the 38-year-old Molina into the fold. As noted here at MLBTR last week, signing Molina would be a major narrative shift in the Bronx, where Gary Sanchez’s defensive struggles and prolific strikeout rates have drawn the ire of many fans. Molina, of course, is a generational defender at his position and still possesses some of the best bat-to-ball skills in baseball (13.5 percent strikeout rate in 2020).
As for the Mets, they’ve been oft-connected to J.T. Realmuto since it became clear that Steve Cohen would purchase the club from the Wilpon family. Wilson Ramos is a free agent, leaving Tomas Nido atop the team’s depth chart behind the dish. For a club with immediate postseason aspirations under new ownership, that doesn’t cut it. Molina would be a more affordable option than Realmuto, leaving more resource available to pursue other top free agents and trade targets (e.g. George Springer, Trevor Bauer, Francisco Lindor). Outgoing White Sox catcher James McCann stands out as a younger alternative as well.
Agent Melvin Roman told Heyman a couple weeks back that he’s seeking a two-year deal for Molina, and Roman told MLB.com’s Jon Morosi last week that they’ve heard from at least three clubs beyond the Cardinals. At this point, there’s no reason to call any club other than St. Louis a favorite, as the Cards clearly have the most motivation to keep Molina through the end of his career. Ostensible interest from other clubs — particularly big-market organizations out of New York — will only increase fan pressure to make a deal happen, though to this point it’s not clear that any of the teams that have expressed interest have shown a willingness to offer the two-year term that Molina and Roman seek.
He is not going anywhere. He will re-sign with the Cardinals.
That is quite true but he would make a nice addition to the mets, he’s a leader that can get the max out of pitchers.
You mean the Yankees. If they think the Molina will make the difference and guide them to a title… which I wouldn’t be surprised with a catching fix, fixing the issues then they will go for it
Not so fast on Molina resigning with the Cardinals. Yes, Molina would like to finish his playing days in St. Louis.
However—- Now enters Mozeliak. If the Yankees give Yadi a descent 2 year deal. Mozeliak will use the Yankees offer as a means to dump Molina.
Same story, Just a different player. Mozeliak’s patented answer is ALWAYS this; “Well— we tried to resign Molina, but the Yankees offered more than we were willing to pay!” Then Mozeliak will State he wishes Molina well. Then Mozeliak will wash his hand of Molina and save a 2-year contract extension.
That’s the Mozeliak pattern which has the Cardinals in the poor position they are already in.
If the Cardinals were going to resign Molina and/or Wainwright——they would have already done it!!!!!!!!!!!
I predict both Molina and Wainwright are signed by the Yankees!!! I also predict—- with both Molina and Wainwright’s leadership and experience—- the Yankees are World Series Champions in 2021 !!!
You folks say the say thing every year..,same results next season…,Mets will be Kings of The Town now….
I’m a big cardinals fan and what you said is true. Somehow they still manage 3 million a year in attendance… I mean they used to sign players like Beltran, Berkman, now we get washed up trades and signings, while crying broke for players like beltran and berkman. Where’s the Money going Bill?
They don’t want to sign Molina. He is blocking 1 major league ready catcher already and an up and coming stud in the minors. As for Mozeliak, he has to posture the conversation this way. You can’t let an icon, future hall of famer, like Molina walk even if the front office and ownership really want him to.
I totally agree but I have to admit with each passing day I get a tad more concerned. It’s not like Molina or Waino will cost 10m+ a year. What’s the hold up? Maybe the two year request? I think the Cardinals could replace his production at this point in his career but not a significant enough upgrade to part ways with the most beloved players in decades
I’m admittedly not a Cards fan, but I do live in St. Louis. I honestly don’t understand Cards fans obsession with re-signing these guys. Yea, they’ve both been fantastic career Cardinals and it’s a cute story. But the Cardinals already have Knizner to replace Yadi. Maybe Waino can be a key veteran rotation piece for the right price, but he’s also easily replaceable at this point in his career if someone pays him more money. The Cards outfield is a disaster (Carlson might end up being a solution at 1 of the outfield positions but he’s still fairly unproven), they could probably replace Wong with Edmund, but that probably means putting Carpenter at 3rd and that won’t end well. This team has a lot of talent, but also has a lot of holes. They’d be better served using resources on something besides cute feel-good stories.
It’s more than a cute feel-good story, Wanwright had the numbers of a solid number 2 last year (good luck replacing that without paying a premium) and Yadi is still completely unmatched in game-calling, leadership, and guiding a young pitching staff. Not to mention his bat is still average for the position and he still maintains a strong throwing arm. They both offer more than nostalgia to whichever team they end up with
Wainwright put up pretty good numbers in 10 starts in a 60-game season, and he hasn’t really pitched anywhere near that well in the 5 seasons prior to 2020, which suggests that it was a short-season anomaly and very unlikely to happen again going forward. You can find veteran number 4 or 5 starters for cheap quite easily if someone offers Waino more than you’re comfortable paying. In Yadi’s case, he’s maybe the best game caller of all-time, but even with an average bat for the position, he doesn’t move the needle for a lineup with SIGNIFICANT holes, especially when you have an MLB-ready catcher waiting behind him who is currently wasting his service time backing up Yadi and who would be significantly cheaper than Yadi. This isn’t about whether or not Yadi and Waino are good enough to still play the game. They Are. But the Cardinals should, quite frankly, have other priorities this offseason.
A 38-year old catcher being pursued by multiple teams. Speaks volumes about Molina’s ability.
Or it speaks volumes about the ability of the other catchers available now…….
True, but I think it’s more the price tag. Realmuto and McCann are obviously more desirable.
How about Grandal? He’s under contract to the White Sox for three more years. The Sox could trade him for pitching and sign McCann to a three-year deal.
McCann to the Mets please, no to Molina!!
@realsox, I’ve actually had that thought, but Grandal signed a sizeable contract and I’m not sure he lived up to it last year. He had just 0.6 WAR in 46 games. Who’s going to trade a solid pitcher for that? I’m just hoping Grandal improves for next year. Both he and McCann got credit from the staff for the latter’s development, so it’s hard to really go wrong. If I was a GM, though, and I could have McCann for $10M/yr or Grandal for $18M, plus I have to give up someone, McCann easily.
yeah I mean that realmuto guy really sucks
That projected 25 mil over 5 years 125 overall can scare away a lot of teams
gozurman1 I would consider having several teams interested in signing you to an MLB deal as a free agent when you’re a 38 year old Catcher impressive. Not like a ton of other players find themselves in that position as they near 40.
Did you just say a 9 time gold Glover is equivalent of players today?
his defensive metrics are average now
And defensive metrics fall significantly short of the mark when evaluating catchers, there’s a lot to the position that they haven’t figured out how to reasonably capture with numbers.
more veteran leadership with World Series experience with average hitting and defense at this point. But he can handle pitching well.
I’m not sure I would if I were the Yankees. They really aren’t one player away from a playoff team–they already are a playoff team–and if they are considering going under the CBT cap, spending what will likely be high 8 figures is a lot for someone Molina’s age and expected profile in the lineup. The Mets I can see as a better fit for.
high 8 figures? are you crazy?
I could see high 7 but he will probably finish in STL unless someone offers 2/25.
Best offer I can see is maybe 2/18. He’s had a great career, but he’s just not the same guy he was. The bat’s slowed down the past couple of years and the defense is still solid, but not what it used to be. My guess is he returns to the Cards for a final go-round.
this was ore my point…AAV below 10M. But the problem with a 2 year deal is a commit to $18M spend. It’s a lot of money for a team that is cap sensitive
sorry, below 10M obviously
Yankees even reaching out should be all the evidence anyone needs that Sanchez is done in NY. He will most likely be a victim of non tender.
He won’t get non-tendered. Wouldn’t be surprised if they move on, but someone will trade for him. Not like he’s making crazy money.
yeah. paying both woudlnt be too hard a task
Sanchez is projected to make $6 million or more this year. After one fanless Covid season and potentially another on the way I don’t see a team lining up to add a catch who can’t catch or hit to their payroll. Perhaps another richer with a need for a DH might take a flyer if they think they can fix his bat but I highly doubt it given the FA talent that will be available for cheaper this year.
6m is hardly prohobitive, even for teams looking to cut payroll. Not hard to see a team setting selling off a more expensive asset and buying low on Sanchez and see if they can get affordable production. Plenty of rebuilding squads would also be interested id imagine.
They’re not tossing away Sanchez for nothing.
Their $324 million dollar investment doesn’t want to pitch to him, he lost the starting role, and he can’t move to DH as long as Stanton stays healthy. Why pay him $6 million to sit on the bench when you can grab a better bench bat for cheaper?
Have to agree. I am ready to move on from Sanchez. If he goes on to be a great DH somewhere (And ultimately I think he will hit well if he does become a regular DH) so be it. He’s holding the Yankees back. We’ll never know how many important games the Yankees have lost because pitchers are afraid to throw their nastiest stuff with runners on because he can’t catch a beachball..
That said I want Realmuto or McCann. Molina is a hall of famer but he’s at the end of his career and Father Time is undefeated.
Sorry, but the “as long as Stanton stays healthy part made me chuckle
Cashman checks in on everyone. Doesn’t mean much of anything.
True he does do that.
Most GMs do. They’re not doing their jobs if they don’t at least ask about everyone they have even a remote chance of affording who could help.
Sanchez might end up in Pittsburgh or some no pressure organization
Anywhere but the Bronx
Sanchez will be a DH somewhere
Three available decent catchers. Padres Francisco Mejia; Oakland Austin Allen and Royals Salvator Perez. Sadly Thomas Nido got COVID and looked better offensively.
Mejia can’t field, Nido can’t hit
Sanchez can’t hit or field.
Saying he looked better offensively is very generous. He had one big game.
He’d fit with the Yankees. He’s got that bad attitude
Top 5 Catchers of All Times:
1. Carlton Fisk
2. Terry Steinbach
3. Yady Molinas
4. Mike Piazza
5. Mike Matheny
I think you are making these absurd lists just to get a reaction
Top 5 MLBTR Commenters of All Time
1. baseballpun
2-5. Who cares
Yogi Berra?
Roy Campanella?
Johnny Bench?
Ivan (Pudge) Rodriguez?
You are the top nincompoop of all time!!
Who’s terry steinbach lol I lived through and collected baseball cards in that era
I’d completely forgotten about him. Had to look up his stats. Decent career, no way he sniffs top 20 C of all time, though, let alone top 5.
19ydodger
You could add Elston Howard to that list.
LOL. I’m a Mets fan but where the hell is Johnny Bench? Terry Steinbach?! Besides you spelled Yogi Berra or Roy Campanella wrong? Must be?
Nailed it.
Please tell me this list is a joke. Any list of top 5 C’s that doesn’t have Johnny Bench on it can’t be serious. Also, Ivan Rodriguez, Gary Carter, and Yogi Berra should be strong contenders for this list, much better than Steinbach or Matheny, and arguably better than Piazza or Molina. The only name you got right, though definitely the wrong placement, is Fisk.
Bill Dickey and Mickey Cochrane say hi. Josh Gibson was arguably the best ever. Baseball didn’t start in 1950, much less 1970.
Don’t know where the 1970 comment came from, considering I put Yogi Berra on here, but I’ll grant that Dickey and Cochrane could have also been listed, though people who argue that it’s hard to be certain because they didn’t have an integrated league back then have a point. As for Gibson, his career numbers can vary wildly by site. Baseballreference credits him with only 113 HR, which is almost assuredly low, but it’s hard to find reliable figures.
Hopefully this list is a joke
Lol Steinbach *kisses fingers like a chef* missed the train on Matt Nokes though
Mickey Tettleton feels snubbed…
The fact that you rank Terry Steinbach second means you are either A) clueless about baseball B) believe baseball started in the 1990’s given the other names on your list or C) you are Terry Steinbach
Jerry Grote is the greatest Mets catcher of all time. That takes Piazza and Carter off the list. Or not.
Nothing against Grote, but no.
You left out Bench, Yogi, and Bill Dickey, Hall of Famers all
Mike Matheny vs Johnny Bench or Ted Simmons? Hmmm you must have been looking at the same chart Kevin Cash was when he pulled a left handed pitcher for a right hander who throws 65% fastballs to an excellent fastball hitter who hits .150 off lefties.
Roy Campanella was better than all of those you just listed.
I’d take Pudge Rodriguez from beginning to ending of his career over all of them. I’d take Johnny Bench over Pudge.
I would put Johnny Bench up there.
Way to get younger.
Does either team really need to get younger though?
Just draft a catcher or 3
Mets will never get a near 40 year old catcher.
Any catcher with a pulse will hear from the Mets this offseason. I can’t imagine Yadi being anything but a fallback for them.
I imagine they’ll push hard for JTR, then switch immediately to McCann if that falls through. Agree that Yadi is, at best, their third choice.
I think McCann gets signed before JTR, so I don’t really think he’ll be a fallback option.
i think they go on quick succession. whoever feels like they are losing on JT or right after he signs will jump on McCann. McCann might get more money that way froma desperate team that really wanted JT but struck out.
Mets make sense as they need catching help and a new owner and front office will probably reach out to almost everyone. The Yankees not so much unless the are going to trade or release Sanchez or move him to DH which would put Stanton in the field full time which would probably be a bad idea. Kyle Higashioka earned his roster spot as the backup and i don’t see the Yankees carrying three Catchers with zero defensive flexibility
With Sanchez and Higgy, I don’t know where Molina would fit on the Yankees’ roster and he probably would want the bulk of the at-bats. They have much better options for DH as well.
Trade Higgy.
Problem solved.
JTR will be expensive. So will McCann. And both will be courted by lots of teams. So it completely makes sense for both NY teams to check in on Molina as a stopgap for a year. Plus it will help him raise his bargaining power when he signs his last contract. Which I’m guessing will be with the Cards for 2 years. Just can’t see him in anything but a St. Louis uniform
To be fair, Molina is not going to be cheap either.
But the other 2 guys will get longer term deals
Please, not the Yankees (spoken as a Sox fan whose favourite player in MLB is Yadi). Come on, Cards, get this done.
McCann to the Yankees. Sanchez for Matz.
The fit would be that one of either Sanchez or Higgy would be gone…..
Blue Jays should consider Yadi. Mentor Vlad and Jansen (Kirk goes to AAA). Help the pitching staff, especially Pearson and Ray. Pay a premium and have him be Pearson and Ray’s personal catcher, play him against lefties as much as possible at DH.
if he leaves STL, its either to go to a contender or to his home in NY, Toronto offers him nothing
No Doubt JTR to the Mets.
I believe if the Yankees got him the plan would be package Sanchez and a couple of prospects to a team desperately in need of a designated hitter and in return get a top three starter. My guess would be Sanchez, Andujar and Schmidt plus another prospect could get it done.
New owner same old Mets tactics. I think every offseason you can expect one if not a couple Mets “interested in aging veteran at the end of their career” headlines.
Molina would be backup catcher for the Mets, if anything.
That’s a bit hyperbolic, no? The offseason has barely started.
Even at his age, Yadi is still arguably the 3rd best catcher on the market. It would be silly for the Mets not to be in contact.
st. louis needs to cut bait, instead of being held hostage.
what’s another bad decision going to matter?
would just be another year to see what you’ve got. there not a contender with or without him
That’s more reason to sign him than not. If you “aren’t contending” anyways, might as well keep the fan base happy as best you can and Molina and Waino would do that
I’ll file this under fake news, at least on the Yankees side. The agent perhaps trying to create interest, but he’s going back to the Cards.
How about Buster Posey ? Three time World Series Champion, MVP, All Star, Batting Champ, Good defender and Great game caller.
Without Buster Posey’s leadership and overall game, the Giants wouldn’t have won 3 World Series.
Do you people ever consider anyone from the West Coast ??
Posey fell off a cliff in recent years
Hard pass!
The Cardinals have had plenty of opportunity to offer Molina a two year deal to his liking. You’d think other teams have a reasonable opportunity to land him, depending on how much value he places on being a life long Cardinal.
Spoiler alerts! It’s high