The catcher is staying at home.
Yadier Molina and the Cardinals are in the process of finalizing a one-year extension that will keep the All-Star catcher with the club through 2022. Molina confirmed to the Post-Dispatch that the deal is real close and soon to be completed. A source confirmed the length of the deal being finalized Tuesday afternoon.
"I'm so happy, so happy," Molina said as he left the field following his pre-game regimen of groundballs during batting practice.
He had just received a huge hug from teammate Nolan Arenado as the latter headed onto the field for BP.
The Post-Dispatch first reported earlier this month about the plans the Cardinals and Molina had to discuss an extension in August. On Friday, Molina said the talks had made progress and he was encouraged by their pace.
Molina said earlier this month that he did not want to go into free agency again this winter and that determining an extension for 2022 would be "awesome."
As a free agent this past winter, Molina sought a two-year deal worth his previous year's salary, at $20 million. The new contract, which The Athletic first reported is worth $10 million, will take Molina through his age 40 season. That effectively works out to being a two-year, $19-million deal for 2021 and 2022.
