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

Omar Narvaez should bring All-Star credentials to the Cardinals

Narvaez played in 84 games with the Brewers in 2022 after having an All-Star appearance in 2021. While he didn’t play as much in 2022, Narvaez has the talent to be an All-Star, Gold Glove-caliber talent the Cardinals need.

Narvaez slashed .206/.292/.305 with an OPS of .597. He had 12 doubles, one triple, and four home runs. He scored 21 runs and 23 RBI. But for his career, he’s hit .258 with 51 home runs in 600 games.

After stints with the Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners, and Milwaukee Brewers, the 31-year-old Narvaez should be looking forward to some stability he could get from the Cardinals by leading a talented pitching group

Austin Barnes’ talent and experience should benefit the Cardinals

In 62 games with the Dodgers, Austin Barnes has been a role-playing catcher. He’s spent eight seasons with the Dodgers, who seem to be set with Will Smith as their everyday catcher, meaning free-agent-to-be Barnes can take his talents elsewhere.

Thanks to his time in Los Angeles, Barnes has experience leading some excellent pitchers. He could successfully bring that experience to St. Louis.

In 2022, the 32-year-old catcher slashed .212/.234/.380 with an OPS of .708, six doubles, eight home runs, 31 runs scored, and 26 RBI. Defensively, Barnes has 32 defensive runs saved over his career as a catcher, including three in 2022.

Barnes would be an exciting pairing with Knizner and Herrera.

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.