Yadier Molina turned himself into a St. Louis legend during his 19 seasons playing with the Cardinals. He could extend his relationship with the only MLB franchise he played for in 2024 with a return to the dugout. He'll still be wearing a uniform, but he won’t be putting the catching gear on anymore.
Molina is reportedly interested in taking a coaching job with the Cardinals and from his perspective, it's likely to happen in some capacity.
“There is something cooking,” Molina said, via Luis Nolla. “I have had various offers in the United States last year with Miami and St. Louis. This year I have offers too. I think there is something cooking with St. Louis. There is a 90 percent chance that it happens. They are decisions that someone must take in the future. I see myself managing, coaching in the United States for a few years. I like it. I am a guy that is fascinated with baseball, and I am passionate about it. To have an opportunity like that I cannot pass.”
Molina retired as a player after the 2022 season and immediately landed his first managerial job in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. He then managed Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic last spring, leading his country to the knockout stages of the tournament.
Yadi the skipper?
It wouldn’t be outlandish for Cardinals fans to envision Yadier Molina as the team's manager in the near future. Molina himself has likely dreamt of that scenario many times during his final years as a player. At the moment though, the Cardinals do not have a managerial opening.
Oliver Marmol will remain the Cardinals manager in 2024, at least to start the season. The MLB's youngest manager led St. Louis to a division title in his first season in 2022 but the Cardinals got swept at home in the Wild Card Series. This season was a major step backward, as the Cardinals had their first losing season since 2007 and finished with their worst record since 1995.
Even if it's not a managerial job, Molina still seems interested. Perhaps St. Louis will open up an assistant's role with him to work with the catchers and give some hitting tips. If given the offer, Molina would willingly accept.
“St. Louis has given me the opportunity. It is my second home,” Molina said. “There is always a good relationship and communication with them. They are trying to guide me to that way, in the matter of being a coach. They have their staff who have done a good job with the team. It would be an opportunity that it will be hard to say no too. I love St. Louis; I love baseball and St. Louis has the best baseball in the world. I would like to be in St. Louis.”
Yadier Molina is a potential Hall of Fame player but he is undoubtedly a Hall of Fame personality and is beloved by most anyone who played or coached with or against him. He'll be an MLB manager someday soon and the St. Louis Cardinals will probably be the team he writes the lineup cards for.
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