NEWSLETTER
I could probably call a dozen things in the early part of free agency a bellwether, so I’ll try to resist the urge to do so when the first signings or extensions or whatever roll in.
For example, if Yadi Molina actually is able to get a notable extension from the Cardinals – or a pricey quick strike in free agency elsewhere – it would definitely be a signal that the market might not be as dire as feared, but it won’t be THE SINGULAR instructive point, especially because the situation is unique.
To that end, here’s the deal with Molina, who is a week away from the first free agency of his career: his agent told Jon Heyman that Molina is seeking a two-year deal (h/t MLBTR). Previously, the 38-year-old Cardinals lifer had figured he would retire at the end of this season if the Cardinals didn’t extend him, but the pandemic changed his mind enough that he’s willing to play for another club if it extends his career.
The conversations with the Cardinals figure to be active, but are they willing to give Molina a two-year deal? At a price that Molina would accept before testing free agency for the first time? Are the Cardinals really ready to hand the reins to Andrew Knizer or bring someone else in?
On the flip side, are there clubs out there that would pounce on the chance to bring in a guy like Molina, who (sorry) is probably unparalleled in the game at working with a pitching staff and young players? To say nothing of his work with pitchers in-game (I have always suspected there is substantial value there that is difficult to quantify), and his in-game defensive ability, which still rates solidly above average? And his offense obviously is nowhere near his peak, but he’s hit roughly average for a catcher the last couple years.
I think these are tough questions to answer given the environment, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if Molina does do a legit tour of free agency. It’s just not that hard for me to imagine there are clubs out there that see his unique combination of ability and experience as one of those “glue” situations for the clubhouse, a la David Ross for the Cubs in 2015.
In turn, that makes you wonder how damaging his departure could be to a Cardinals club that has had him as their guy for a decade and a half. Obviously that day is coming eventually, but has it already arrived? If Molina can find a decent two-year deal out there from another club, maybe it has. Or maybe the Cardinals just say eff it, and give Molina a little extra to return, like they did a few years ago on his current whopping $20 million AAV deal, or like they’ve done recently for Adam Wainwright.
Of course, *IF* Molina does move on, we’ll always have this as a final memory:
In Maybe His Last AB as a Cardinal at Home … Yadi Molina Grounds Into a TRIPLE PLAY https://t.co/OUXonvqGSA pic.twitter.com/elnGu4mjtY
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) September 27, 2020
