5 years, $60 million, according to Sirius XM.

El Diablo:

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Cardinals and Gold Glove catcher Yadier Molina are close to agreement on a multi-year extension likely to make Molina the seventh catcher in the game's history to realize a deal with an average annual value exceeding $10 million.

The Cardinals remain engaged in talks with Molina's agent, Melvin Roman, who has remained in town for nearly a week. Roman arrived shortly after his client hinted at a breakdown in negotiations but "positive momentum" has since been achieved, according to a source familiar with talks.

Molina expressed a desire to remain in St. Louis shortly after arriving in camp more than 10 days before pitchers and catchers were scheduled to officially report. Entering the final installment of a five-year deal that pays him $7 million for the upcoming season, Molina last year led the Cardinals in hitting while also earning a Rawlings Platinum Glove awarded the league's top defender.

Team officials declined comment Monday regarding the status of talks except to deny a rumor that a deal was already in place. Roman did not return a phone message Monday afternoon but did confirm to Fox Sports that the sides are progressing toward an agreement. A source familiar with talks said the extension should be finalized no later than Friday.

15 million a season for the best defensive catcher in baseball who's offense has been beyond satisfactory seems like we got took?

I guess I overvalue Molina. If Pujols is worth 25, Molina is easily worth 15.

For 15 mil. he should be driving in 90 with about 25 shiskabobs per ...... he ain't gonna do it ....


4 years 44 mil tops ........

plus he ain't gonna  beat nobody in  a foot race .....

alz wrote:

15 million a season for the best defensive catcher in baseball who's offense has been beyond satisfactory seems like we got took?

I guess I overvalue Molina. If Pujols is worth 25, Molina is easily worth 15.

15 million is damn near equall to Holliday's 17.  He wouldnt be worth that.  I rather have another Holliday and a Catcher that cant hit but a good fielder.

"This is worst then the Loshe signing."

Not even close. Molina is one of the top 2 or 3 catchers in baseball. Lohse is a career #4-5 starter. If they're really paying Molina 5/75, it's on the high side, but not by much.

We don't know the actual numbers yet, so at this point it's just speculation.  But even assuming it's $15M/year, you're quibbling over $4-5M for next season which can almost entirely be made up by simply non-tendering McClellan--a player they spent the entire off-season attempting to give away.

They're counting on the development of a lot of their minor league players.  Next season Miller and Craig take over for Lohse and Berkman.  That's a savings of $23M.  After 2013, another $30M drops off of the payroll when Beltran's, Furcal's and Carpenter's contracts expire.  True, they'll have to replace those players, and not all of the replacements will be internal, but they're counting on at least some of the help coming from the minors at low dollars. 

Bottom line is they didn't have a "plan B" to replace Molina.  If you look around MLB, there are probably at least half of the teams who don't have a legitimate major league caliber catcher.  It isn't a position you can just throw anyone into and expect success.  Because of that, I think they (correctly) perceived him as someone they had to sign.

They also have to deal with Wainwright soon.  Unless TJ really fucked him up they are going to have fork over some cash.

Bernie covers this issue today

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/bernie-miklasz/bernie-cards-have-room-on-the-books-for-molina/article_35dabbb6-1d95-5cdb-a4a3-b0f9ac6a54dd.html

APRTW wrote:

forsberg_us wrote:

Bernie covers this issue today

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/bernie-miklasz/bernie-cards-have-room-on-the-books-for-molina/article_35dabbb6-1d95-5cdb-a4a3-b0f9ac6a54dd.html

He didnt really change my opinion but I just dont really like Molina or value his production at the plate.  I think his defense is replacible.  I think Bernie's point about money coming off the books is offset by Wainwright's lurking 20 million dollar contract.

I can understand you not liking the deal if your opinion is that his offense sucks and his defense is something you can replace.

Personally, I disagree with the latter point. I don't believe there is a better defensive catcher in baseball, nor one that is on par with Yadi. I believe that Platinum glove award was merited, and that he is far and away one of the best defensive catchers that has ever played. He also led the team in hitting, and has been on a constant upswing for his ability to produce at the plate. I'm fairly certain if we didn't pay him 15, someone definately would have in free agency, and I'm glad we kept him. He makes every pitcher we have a lot better with his ability to throw out runners, block balls, and just calm them down.

It's okay to disagree though, we've done it before. I'm personally just glad he's staying, and it looks like we can afford to keep Wainright. I like that everything we have wrapped up into Berkman/Beltran/Furcal is short term. I like that we have Jaime/Holiday for long term deals. Financially I think we're in very good shape.

Another factor is that I feel Molina is at high risk for decline.  It isnt like I am going to be rooting against him or the deal to prove my point.  I just cant believe how aggressive they were.  To aggresive in my opinion.

Devil's advocate here, but I can't remember the last time the Cardinals had a championship-caliber team without a great defensive catcher, at least going back to McCarver. The Rangers were fifth in MLB in stolen bases in the regular season, and he shut down their running game. Milwaukee didn't even try to run on Molina, and the Phillies only stole two bases off him.

I dont think the Cardinals are going to be bad on offense this year.  I just dont think they are going to repeat 2011.  There will be some decline there.  Nobody is a rock like Pujols was.  Really my concern comes after 2012.  Berkman might not be usefull and Beltran will be another year older.  Molina in a good offensive year still doesnt provide enough to justify putting him in the 4th or 5th spot in the lineup.  I was hoping for atleast enough "cap" room for them to add another large contract on a power hitter at some point after 2012.  It seems to me they are planning on giving Wainwright a contract and filling in almost all the holes around a core of Wainwright, Molina, Holiday with short term contracts. 

I have my thoughts but really alot of it is that I just dont value Molina.

Last edited by APRTW (3/02/2012 9:12 am)