Tomorrows Baseball

The St. Louis Cardinals and Yadier Molina are interested in a reunion. Molina spent his entire 19-year career in St. Louis.

Martin Kilcoyne of Fox 2 was the first to report on this. The catching legend himself later confirmed that he did have talks with management.

Molina told Puerto Rican media group El Vocero, “We hope that if something happens it will happen soon, and if not, then I would still be willing to continue helping them when they need me while I am here in Puerto Rico. They have the knowledge of my willingness (to take a position in management or the coaching staff).”

The Cardinals finished 2023 with a record of 71-91 for a .438 win-loss percentage. This is their worst record since 1995 (62-81, .434). The possible return of a franchise great should be seen as a welcome sight for the Cardinas and their fans.

Cardinals and Yadier Molina Interested in Reunion

All-Time Fan Favorite

Throughout Molina’s 19 seasons, he was often referred to as a player-coach due to his amount of training and deep understanding of his opponents. The two-time World Series champion made 10 All-Star games and won nine Gold Gloves, four Platinum Gloves, and one Silver Slugger. He is one of the most decorated players in Major League Baseball’s history, and he did it all while wearing the birds on the bat.

Since his retirement after the 2022 season, fans have been begging to see Molina back in the dugout. Returning to the team as a coach or manager has always seemed to be a when instead of an if it will happen.

Managerial Experience

Yadier Molina has his first managerial win in the WBC.

It'll get lost in the box score, but Molina called for a hit and run in the bottom of the 5th with Martín Maldonado on first. Christian Vázquez executed it perfectly.

Puerto Rico would go on to score five runs after that. https://t.co/p7HBu8RxH3

— Katie Woo (@katiejwoo) March 11, 2023

Molina already has experience as a manager. He first managed Puerto Rico’s U-23 team in the 2018 Baseball World Cup. They won twice but lost three times and failed to pass the group stage.

In 2022, he was named manager of the Navegantes del Magallanes of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (VPBL) and led the team to the playoffs.

Molina also managed the 2023 Puerto Rico National Team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC). Molina and Puerto Rico advanced to the quarter-finals after beating the Dominican Republic in a critical game to finish the group stage. Puerto Rico lost to Mexico in the quarter-finals by a score of four to five. They did secure a spot in the 2026 WBC, and Molina figures to be the front-runner for manager.

Possible Role in 2024 and Beyond

The Cardinals have yet to hire Molina, but let’s have fun. If/when Molina signs, what will his role be?

I want him to take over the job of Manager immediately. Boot Oli Marmol and let the great Molina lead from day 1.

However, Molina taking over right away may be unrealistic, and I am a dreamer. Unfortunately, it’s more likely for Molina to be an assistant coach, bench coach, or bullpen coach in his first season.

If the Cardinals choose not to extend an offer, they may take Yadi up on his offer and accept help in other areas as a part-time assistant. Not hiring Molina as a full-timer is the worst-case scenario because this allows him to negotiate with other teams, and he may end up working for a different team in MLB.

While Molina may not start as manager (if he does join the team), he will likely be on the fast track for the job. The role of “manager in waiting” may be one of the worst in sports, so if this happens, it should happen sooner than later.