Could Yadi Molina Actually Stick to Statement That He Will ‘Retire Happy’ Absent Right Offer?
If I’m being totally honest, this post was really just about me being able to poke fun at Yadier Molina. The longtime Cardinals catcher is currently a free agent and has voiced a desire to return to St. Louis for another run, but he’s also said he wants a two-year deal and would entertain offers from other teams. Given the state of the market, however, such a contract might not be available.
In an interview with Cardinals broadcaster Polo Ascensio that ran Thursday on La Vida Baseball social media outlets, Molina said walking away altogether is an option he’s considered.
⚾️: Este jueves, @Yadimolina04 se une a @PvoVozDiamante para una conversación sincera sobre dónde jugará a continuación y qué tan saludable y fuerte se siente a los 38 años.
⚾️: Jueves a la 1 PM ET solo en La Vida Baseball!
📸: @jeanfruth / La Vida Baseball#pelota #Deportes pic.twitter.com/Isa7h3w6dA— La Vida Baseball (@LaVidaBaseball) January 13, 2021
“Getting ready as always and God will tell,” Molina said, as translated by Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “If God wants me to come back, then I’ll come back. And if not I will retire happy with my head held high.”
It still seems as though the Cards will find a way for him to stick around because he’s always been considered the glue that held the team together. As inseparable as organization and player have been, though, St. Louis doesn’t appear to be ramping up for a competitive season in 2021. So even if fans hate the idea of Yadi wearing some other team’s tacky uniform, all the pining in the world can’t outweigh a better offer.
Maybe he’s just waiting to see what the Cubs do with Willson Contreras so he can pull off an epic troll job of two fanbases at once. Or maybe this is just a way for Molia to get a little more leverage in talks with the Cards and other teams, because I can’t see him adhering to the threat of retirement.
