Relieved to be back home Yadier Molina

For now, the farewell tour of Yadier Molina in the leagues of the Great Leagues, in the style of Derek Jeter, David Ortiz or Edgar Martinez will not be able to be planned. The retirement can wait at least a year, and all the concentration of the doradeño is put now in preparing for a new season and helping to win his team.

A day after his signing was announced for a year and $ 9 million to re-wear the only uniform he has worn in his career, the Doradeño receiver said that despite the varied offers he had on the table, the nearly 20 years he has lived in the city of San Luis with his family had a lot to do with the decision made.

“We’re where we wanted to be,” Molina said at a conference call. “I’m very happy with the signing. We knew the market would be pretty tough this year because of the pandemic and we were prepared for a lot of things. The work that Melvin Román (his agent) and his team did was something great. I feel very happy and grateful for that. “

“San Luis is his home. San Luis is a man for me. We wanted to be here and that was what we achieved,” the Puerto Rican added.

The 38-year-old Molina has played his 17-year career in the Major Leagues with the Cardinals. At one point he said that he thought that at the end of his past contract, he was interested in playing at least two more years and that he wanted to put an end to his stellar career using the same uniform with which he debuted. .

He even mentioned that he would have considered retiring before having to play with another team, a position he later reconsidered.

“We thought about looking for the contract we wanted and all the teams had their chance. But having said that, in the heart of one I wanted to stay in Sant Lluís. The family is there, the home is there. They are 18 years old and it is always the first option. But there were several teams interested, “said Molina, who until Saturday was active with the Caguas Creoles in the 2021 Caribbean Mazatlán Series in Mexico.

“In the end it was a personal decision. I wanted to stay, finish my career here, and thanks to Melvin we got it. There were several offers on the table and in this case I was the one who made the decision.” , he added.

The player’s agent, Melvin Novel of MDR Sports Management, was pleased with what he managed to negotiate for his client.

“When one goes to free agency it creates an expectation. There was always a rumor that we wanted a two-year contract. But if it was to be wanted, we would have wanted a five-year contract. Really, at the end of the day , is what benefits the player and his family the most, and this is what should be most important in these decisions: the player, the family and then what is on the table.This was the route we took and we are very happy with that, “Román said at the telephone press conference.

Another factor that helped decide, according to Yadier himself, were the transactions made by the Cardinals in recent weeks, in which they decided to bring back the veteran Adam Wainwright and also integrate the eight-time winner of the Golden Glove and four-time Silver Bat winner, Nolan Sorrejat.

“We have a very good team. I’m very happy with everything they’ve done. I think St. Louis has made good moves, and that was something else that motivated us to make the decision we made,” Molina agreed. “We know we have a competing team and we can get in (in the playoffs) and after you get in anything can happen. One can warm up and win the championship. That’s the goal. Winning the championship, and I think with the team of St. Louis we can do it “

When asked directly about the retreat, Molina did not abound much and expressed that at the moment her mind is busy with more urgent things.

“Right now we are thinking about signing and we are preparing for a new year. Sanding brings us new life. For the next few years we will think things through and make decisions. But now, we are well focused on this new year,” he said. finished.