Cardinals Rumors: Nationals a possibility for Yadier Molina

The expectation remains that Yadier Molina will return to the St. Louis Cardinals, but the interest in him league wide is picking up.

The St. Louis Cardinals suddenly face the reality that Yadier Molina may not return in 2020. Talks have reportedly not gone well, with his agent Melvin Roman referring to a recent offer as “ridiculous.” By all indications, his market is growing – even with the New York Mets out of the running after signing James McCann.

The Washington Nationals have emerged as a possibility for Molina, as I reported on FanSided, joining the Los Angeles Angels, New York Yankees and San Diego Padres as teams interested in the free-agent catcher.

Molina, 38, would fill a need at catcher for the Nationals. While they still have Yan Gomes behind the plate, they are likely to lose Kurt Suzuki in free agency. Molina may not be the everyday star catcher that he once was, but he is still effective, and would be an ideal platoon candidate in Washington.

The Nationals, of course, are not limiting their options in free agency. The team has had conversations with J.T. Realmuto’s agent, according to The Athletic, though it may be difficult for them to add such a salary. Molilna, who is seeking a two-year deal, could make sense for the Nationals on a one-year deal, perhaps with an option for a second season.

How the Cardinals would go about replacing Molina, if he does in fact leave St. Louis, is unknown. Andrew Knizer is the team’s only internal option, and it is highly likely that president of baseball operations John Mozeliak would look outside the organization for upgrades. But with the team dealing with financial constraints, it will be hard for the Cardinals to pursue Realmuto or any other of the top catchers in free agency.

The most likely outcome, however, is that Molina and the Cardinals work out an agreement for the longtime catcher to return to St. Louis. While there has been little progress as of Dec. 18, there is plenty of offseason left, with the market unlikely to heat up until late January when teams have a deeper understanding of the upcoming season and what their payroll situations will look like.