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St. Louis Cardinals: 2018 Review, Yadier Molina Era Over?

By Max Neibaur

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina is tended to by assistant athletic trainer Chris Conroy and manager Mike Matheny (22) after he was struck by a ball while catching in the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on Saturday, May 5, 2018. The Cards won, 8-6, in 10 innings. (Chris Lee/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/TNS via Getty Images)
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina is tended to by assistant athletic trainer Chris Conroy and manager Mike Matheny (22) after he was struck by a ball while catching in the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on Saturday, May 5, 2018. The Cards won, 8-6, in 10 innings. (Chris Lee/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/TNS via Getty Images) /
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St. Louis Cardinals
MILWAUKEE, WI – JUNE 23: Yaddier Molina #4 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates after hitting a home run in the sixth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on June 23, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

The St. Louis Cardinals started and ended the 2018 MLB season on a down, but the year was not a complete failure. Moving forward, can the Cards make one last run during the aging Yadier Molina era before that window closes?

Yadier Molina plays with a competitive fire that draws hatred from opposing teams almost as grand as draws love from his hometown St. Louis Cardinals.

The native Puerto Rican, affectionately known by Yadi to fans, led his homeland’s team all the way to the finals of the 2017 WBC.

The WBC Tournament showcases Yadi’s love and respect for baseball combined for his loyalty and compassion for his people.

"“It means everything to me, everything,” Yadi explained to reporters during the WBC. “It would mean just as much, if not more [than a World Series Championship]. This is for our country. You get emotional when you play for your country.”"

The United States beat Puerto Rico in the finals of the 2017 WBC, and it is questionable whether Yadier Molina’s body will hold up by the time another tournament occurs in 2021.

It is questionable whether he will even have another chance at the World Series title with the St. Louis Cardinals let alone a WBC title with Puerto Rico.

The Cards had a marginal 2018. Depending on the perspective, a fan could see it very positively or negatively.

The team endured several injuries, especially to the pitching staff. It also made some trades that could look bad in the future and fired its manager, Mike Matheny, half-way through the season.

Even Molina went on the DL for a considerable amount of time. Perhaps the next time Molina wins a title with the St. Louis Cardinals or his Puerto Rico team, he will be a manager and not a player. He did not appear to pick up his 2018 Roberto Clemente Award because he was managing Puerto Rico’s U-23 team.

Even though Molina got nominated for yet another Gold Glove in 2018, he only threw out 31 percent of base-stealers. His career average is 41 percent.

Yadier Molina has mentioned that he plans to retire at the end of his contract in 2020.

Only a very close look at the offense and pitching during the 2018 season can do a St. Louis Cardinals review any justice.

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