5 teams that should sign Yadier Molina if he leaves the Cardinals

5 teams that should sign Yadier Molina if he leaves the Cardinals after 2020

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - OCTOBER 11: Yadier Molina #4 of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts after being hit by the pitch against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning in game one of the National League Championship Series at Busch Stadium on October 11, 2019 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images /

3. Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa Bay didn’t get what it wanted out of Mike Zunino behind the plate last year. He was limited to 266 at-bats and hit just nine home runs, after hitting at least 20 home runs each of the previous two seasons with the Seattle Mariners. Travis d’Arnaud filled the void nicely (16 home runs and 67 RBI in 92 games), but he left for the Atlanta Braves in free agency this offseason.

The Rays are loaded with good pitching, led at the top of the rotation by 2018 AL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell and Charlie Morton. Tyler Glasnow will be looking to rebound after an injury-hampered 2019, and 2021 looks like it’ll be the likeliest opportunity for him to truly emerge. A capable veteran catcher will quite possibly be on order next offseason in Tampa Bay.

If Zunino has another disappointing or injury-marred campaign in 2020, assuming there is a season, the Rays can just decline their $4.5 million club option on him for 2021 and move on. That would open the door to sign Molina, assuming the price is right for one of the most cost-conscience (and smartest) organizations in baseball.

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