5 Free agent catchers the Cardinals should check out

Yadier Molina has retired after 19 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals have a difficult task ahead in replacing him. 

Yadier Molina will not be replaced. There is no replacing Yadier Molina.

The Cardinals will seek a new catcher. And finding a new catcher will be a difficult task for the Cardinals. The pitching staff depended on Molina. The lineup depended on him. Manager Oli Marmol and the coaching staff depended on him. And the fan base adored him for it.

Andrew Knizner has been Molina’s backup. He filled the role nicely. Unfortunately, he is just that. A back-up. And a good one. The Cardinals had hoped the man believed to be Molina’s heir apparent, Ivan Herrera, would be ready before the legend eventually retired.

Herrera was allowed to step up and take over the role when Molina left the team at one point to take care of personal matters back home in Puerto Rico. Herrera seemed overwhelmed with the task at hand. He still needs some development and will get that opportunity.

In the meantime, the Cardinals must find a veteran catcher with a bat. This free-agent class will have many options for the Cardinals to consider.

Tucker Barnhart is an option for the Cardinals’ backstop

Barnhart was a vital member of the Cincinnati Reds until they began slashing their payroll. Barnhart was unceremoniously traded to the Detroit Tigers, where he had a dismal season in 2022.

While with the Tigers, he slashed .221/.287/.267 with an OPS of .554 in 94 games. He scored ten doubles, one home run, 16 runs, and 16 RBI. He’s previously won Rawlings Gold Glove honors in 2017 and 2020.

He has a career 4 WAR. With a veteran presence and keen abilities, Barnhart is a player the Cardinals should kick the tires on this offseason

Willson Contreras is already checking out the Cardinals

Willson Contreras has already been doing his research on the Cardinals. He reportedly got a good report about the team’s culture from a friend and former teammate, Jose Quintana.

Quintana, who expressed a desire to return, gave the Cardinals a rave review to free agency, arguably the top available catcher in Contreras. He has spent all five seasons with the Cardinals’ division rival, Chicago Cubs. He even helped them win a World Series championship in 2016. He is a three-time All-Star.

Contreras played in 113 games with the Cubs in 2022. Most of the season was spent wondering if he was about to be traded. While that had the be stressful, Contreras still had a great season. He slashed .243/..349/.466 with an OPS of .815. He had 23 doubles, two triples, 22 home runs, 65 runs scored, and 55 RBI. He additionally had four stole bases.

Contreras would be an excellent get for the Cardinals as they would have a continuation of a top-tier catcher with an outstanding work ethic and reputation amongst pitchers and teammates.

Puerto Rican Christian Vazquez would find a fit with the Cardinals

After almost seven seasons with the Boston Red Sox, Christian Vazquez learned the business aspect of baseball with a trade deadline deal to the Houston Astros, who are headed to the ALCS.

Vazquez is a great defensive catcher, as he had 11 defensive runs saved in 2022 while netting 51 defensive runs over his career. This would be a surprise for the Cardinals but one that fans would love in the end. Another elite defender from Puerto Rico? Yes, please! He is known as Mini Yadi.

Vazquez also has a good bat. In 2022, he slashed .274/.315/.399 with an OPS of .714. He scored 23 doubles, nine home runs, 41 runs, and 52 RBI.

While he loved his time in Boston and is on a championship run with the Astros, the Cardinals could be an excellent landing spot for Vazquez. He would get to take over for the player he grew up idolizing in Molina. What a fantastic honor for a Puerto Rican.