The St. Louis Cardinals are bringing back catcher Yadier Molina for an 18th season, agreeing Monday to a $9 million, one-year deal with the nine-time Gold Glove winner.
The 38-year-old Molina hit .262 with four home runs in 42 games during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, his last under a $60 million, three-year deal. He ended up making a prorated $7,407,407 of his $20 million salary last year.
The nine-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion has appeared in 2,025 games for St. Louis since breaking into the majors in 2004, third on the franchise list behind Hall of Famers Stan Musial (3,026) and Lou Brock (2,289).
Molina is a career .281 hitter with 160 home runs, but he’s best known for his defense. He trails only Ivan Rodriguez (13) and Johnny Bench (10) for most Gold Gloves by a catcher.
St. Louis agreed last month to bring back 39-year-old pitcher Adam Wainwright — Molina’s longtime batterymate — on an $8 million, one-year deal. The Cardinals also recently acquired star third baseman Nolan Arenado from the Colorado Rockies.
In the 10 years since the Platinum Glove Awards were introduced honoring the best fielder regardless of position in each league, Molina and Arenado are tied for the most with four each.
