Satisfied Yadier to be able to finish his career where he started it

More than money, Doradeño receiver Yadier Molina and his agent Melvin Román are grateful that the future member of the Hall of Fame will have the opportunity to finish his career where he began: in the organization of the Cardinals of Sant Lluís.

Román, Molina and the Cardinals ended a one-year, $ 10 million contract extension on Tuesday for ‘El Marcià’ to return for its 19th season with the franchise with which it has won two World Series rings.

“It’s a great satisfaction to get a new contract to be able to finish his career where it all started in 2000,” Román said by telephone. “He goes for 22 years with the organization and achieving that was a goal, to be able to finish his career in San Luis and to be able to do it in a good way in the sense of his contracts and the way in which San Luis paid him through his career “.

Molina, 39, became a free agent for the first time in his life at the end of last season and it wasn’t until February of this year that he managed to fix a pact for a season and $ 9 million. Earlier, Molina had a 2008-12 contract for $ 15,500,000; from 2013 to 2018 he earned $ 75 million; and from 2017-2020 had a three-year pact for $ 20 million annually.

After reaching the agreement for 2021, Molina has shown that he has gas left in the tank, and for the excellent performance he has already started the campaign had said that his body told him that one more season like the face of the franchise and one of the best receivers in baseball, was something to consider.

In July, amid the recession of the MLB All-Star Game, he came to the island to hand out the championship rings to his Bayamón Cowboys, and said his agent had already made approaches with the organization.

“This is something that Yadi and I had been completing since the beginning of the season, looking for the‘ timing ’to start and approach the team about our idea, and some time ago we started it,” Román explained. “The process took off and thank God we managed to finish it this afternoon (Tuesday).”

Molina, who will continue to accumulate figures to add to his already voluminous summary, has over 2,100 games as a receiver is close to being third in this list led by Iván Rodríguez with 2,427. The boricua, in addition to the two World Series rings (2006 and 2011) has 10 All-Star Games, nine Golden Gloves and over 2,000 hits in his career.

“He is extremely pleased and pleased with the organization’s treatment starting with the owner, John Mozeliak (president of baseball operations), its executive staff, the leader, the coaches, all the players and obviously the fans,” he continued. Roman. “He is extremely grateful to be able to play his last campaign with the team that signed him and saw him grow, which are the Cardinals of St. Louis and to see if he can fight for another championship and see what happens. next year “.

When Molina has been asked about his ‘last year’ he has never been categorical in saying yes or no, but has been diplomatic explaining that everything will be determined by what his body tells him.

Will this definitely be the last season?

“This is a question for Yadier, but I think this time he is more inclined to make 2022 his last year. In 2021 he has had a good performance, but already in 2022 … if you put me to guess, I think that 2022 would be his last year, ”Román concluded.