Report: Blue Jays in contact with catcher Yadier Molina

Could longtime Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina sign with the Blue Jays in free agency? Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Blue Jays in contact with nine-time All-Star catcher Yadier Molina

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 2/3/21

Although the expectation is that Yadier Molina will return to the St. Louis Cardinals, one American League East team is pushing to land the veteran catcher.

According to MLB Network's Jon Heyman, the Toronto Blue Jays have been in contact with Molina and a few other unnamed teams are in play for his services.

Blue Jays still have interest in legendary catcher Yadier Molina and have been in contact. Expectations have been that he returns to St. Louis, where he’s an icon. But nothing’s done, and a couple other teams are still in play.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 3, 2021

The only catchers Toronto currently has on its roster are Danny Jansen and Alejandro Kirk. The Blue Jays were interested in J.T. Realmuto, but he re-signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, pushing the franchise to look elsewhere for a catcher.

Molina recently told a Puerto Rican newspaper that he has received an offer from the Cardinals and expects to sign a new deal soon.

Molina has spent his entire 17-year career in St. Louis, slashing .281/.333/.404. During the pandemic-shortened campaign, he hit .262 with four home runs and 16 RBI.

He is a two-time World Series champion, nine-time All-Star, nine-time Gold Glove winner, four-time Platinum Glover and one-time Silver Slugger.

Earlier this month, Molina said that he might retire if he doesn't receive an offer he likes. However, it certainly sounds like he has offers on the table that are up to his standards.

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