Yadier Molina was originally looking to call it quits after the 2020 season, but the current situation has led to a change of plans for him.
In a recent interview with Marly Rivera of ESPN, the St. Louis Cardinals catcher spoke on his newfound desire to play two more years and said that he was willing to leave St. Louis in order to make it happen.
“I previously said that, if it wasn’t with St. Louis, that I would go home. If we were unable to come to an extension agreement, that I would retire,” Molina said. “But the [current] situation has changed everything. Right now, I’m thinking of playing two more years. Obviously, St. Louis is my first option. But if they don’t sign me, then I’m willing to go into free agency. This situation has changed my mentality, and all I want to do is play beyond 2020.
“The reality is that this business is difficult for a 38-year-old catcher,” added the nine-time All-Star. “My window is smaller. But I feel ready to keep on playing. I’m in good physical shape. My knees are good, my mind is great. Physically, I’m fine. That’s why I’ve made the decision to play two more years. I had in mind that if St. Louis didn’t sign me, I would retire after this season, at 38. With this situation, obviously, we probably won’t have a chance to play a full season. We may not be able to play a lot of games. I think it will feel like unfinished business. Any player that says they’re not going through a difficult time and not worried about what the 2020 season will look like is lying.”
Molina, who has played all 16 of his MLB seasons with the Cardinals, will see his contract expire after the 2020 season, however it may take place. He is still far from washed up however, hitting .270 last season with 10 home runs and 57 RBIs on top of his usual stellar defense.
The two-time World Series champion sounds like he wants to get one more full season in before hanging up his cleats, and that can only be a good thing for those of us who enjoy Molina’s game as well as his entertaining antics.
