According to MLB insider, Jon Heyman, the Toronto Blue Jays have interest in veteran catcher Yadier Molina. Although it is expected Molina will return to the Cardinals, the Jays have been in contact with the backstop.
This report may come to the surprise of some Blue Jays fans as the team has no shortage of catchers. However, Yadier Molina has been one of the best catchers in baseball over the last decade-plus.
Turning 39 in mid-July, Molina does not have many years left but he does provide significant value to a young team that hopes to contend as early as next year.
Here are THREE reasons why I believe Yadier Molina would be a great signing for the Blue Jays:
Maximizes Pitchers
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Yadier Molina’s outstanding baseball IQ and his overall ability to execute a game plan and call the game are a couple of reasons why he is such a spectacular player. Yadier’s team throughout his career, the St. Louis Cardinals, have made the playoffs in 11 out of the 17 (64.7%) years of his illustrious career.
Current pitcher and long-time teammate of Yadier, Adam Wainwright stated back in 2019 that “sometimes he looks out at me and knows what I am thinking. And he will suggest things based on what I’m thinking.” Yadier is one of the smartest catchers to ever play the game and with a young pitching staff as well as several young catchers, Molian could make a tremendous impact for this team.
2. Great Arm/Defender
Although Yadier is a great hitter, he is an even better defensive player. With nine gold gloves (best defender at his position) and four platinum gloves (best defender in his league), Yadier is arguably the best defensive catcher of all time. Even at age 38, Yadier finished this past season with the most defensive games as a catcher (42) while also committing the least amount of errors as a catcher (5). Yadier is the cream of the crop when it comes to defensive catchers in baseball. If Yadier signs north of the border, it could be immense for the growth of the Blue Jays young catchers.
3. Proven Winner
Yadier Molina is a proven winner. Making the playoffs nearly every year of his career, Yadier has proven that he is a massive factor in his team’s winning. With eleven playoff appearances, including two world series championships, Yadier makes everyone around him better. Not only does he get his team to the playoffs, but he also ups his game and plays at an incredibly high-level when October hits.
In over 100 post-season games, Yadier is hitting .280 and that average improves as the team makes it further into October. Adding the veteran presence of Yadier Molina could be the missing piece of the puzzle that the Blue Jays need to get them that championship.
Overall, Yadier Molina’s baseball IQ, spectacular defense, and the fact that he is a proven winner are just a few of many reasons why Yadier would be a great signing. Although Yadier has made it known that he prefers to re-sign with the Cardinals, the Blue Jays have the assets and team to possibly sway him to come north of the border.
What are your thoughts on the Blue Jays possibly signing Yadier Molina?