St. Louis Cardinals: Yadier Molina staying home

The St. Louis Cardinals continue their reunion tour this week with the latest news surrounding Yadier Molina. According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, the Cardinals are expected to re-sign the longtime face of the franchise.

This deal should be finalized after Molina concludes his performance for Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Series, which ends on Feb. 6.

St. Louis Cardinals: Yadier Molina staying home

Molina’s expected signing comes on the heels of Adam Wainwright, another longtime Cardinal, inking a one-year deal to remain in St. Louis. Both Wainwright and Molina have spent the entirety of their storied careers as batterymates for the Cards’. Wainwright made his MLB debut in 2005 while Molina got started in 2004. Dating back to 2004, this duo has appeared in nearly 2,500 ball games for St. Louis, hoisting World Series trophies in both 2006 and 2011.

While the terms of Molina’s deal are unconfirmed, he’s also expected to sign a one-year contract. Like Wainwright, there’s a belief this could be a retirement tour for the pair.

Molina, who will soon turn 39-years-old, has put together a marvelous career as a catcher. By historical standards, the 17-year veteran is considered one of the best defensive catchers in league history. Molina owns nine Gold Glove Awards, which ranks third all-time for catchers. Even at his age, he’s still considered one of the premier backstops in the league.

Molina owns a career 40.4 WAR, slashing a career .281/.333/.404 batting line with 2001 hits, 160 home runs, and 932 RBIs. He’s been named to nine All-Star teams and is listed all over the Cardinals’ history books, sitting top-10 in WAR, games played, hits, home runs, doubles, and RBIs.

While both signings can be viewed as ceremoniously bittersweet, the franchise owes it to both legacy players. St. Louis fans will rejoice and appreciate every second of the potential retirement tours for Wainwright and Molina.