Yadier Molina is staying put.
According to Katie Woo of The Athletic, Molina and the Cardinals have agreed on a one year, $10 million contract extension. This will ensure his 19th season in the big leagues, all of which have been in St. Louis.
“We are pleased to announce that Yadi has agreed to cement his career legacy with the Cardinals for a final season in 2022,” said president of baseball operations John Mozeliak through a press release. “His experience, leadership, work ethic and winning desire are all part of what we value as an organization.”
Check that off the Cardinals offseason to-do list.
Molina has been a stalwart behind the plate since he made his big league debut in 2004, winning nine Gold Gloves, four Platinum Gloves, and being selected as an All-Star ten times, including this year, though he opted not to play because he wanted to rest his foot, which had landed him on the IL back in May. He’s also been to four World Series with the Cards, winning in 2006 and 2011.
Yadier Molina is well known for his clutch home-run off Aaron Heilman in Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS against the Mets. That homer put St. Louis on top 3-1 and set up the bottom of the ninth inning, where Adam Wainwright struck out Carlos Beltran looking with the bases loaded, sending St. Louis to the World Series and leaving Mets fans in shock.
It remains to be seen if Wainwright will return in 2022, so that he and Molina can go out together, but the Cardinals have at least ensured the return of at least one of their franchise icons, and St. Louis fans will have one more year to watch their star catcher.
For more MLB coverage, click here.
