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: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images /

2. Cleveland Indians

It’s hard to know where the Indians are on the “go for it” or “tear it down” spectrum. But trade rumors around shortstop Francisco Lindor, who’s set to become a free agent after the 2021 season, aren’t going away anytime soon. Cleveland doesn’t seem inclined to pay him what he’s worth, so they could get a haul of prospects for him over the coming months or make moves to go all-in for 2021.

On the latter idea, Cleveland could be an intriguing landing spot for Molina next offseason. The pitching staff is set to remain quite good, and if the lineup can be bolstered in some areas it can still be dangerous in 2021 if they’re going all-in. A catching duo of Robert Perez (24 home runs in 2019) and Molina would look pretty nice, and Molina could stay fresher in a slightly smaller role as he edges toward 40 with over 16,300 innings behind the plate right now. A little time at first base might make sense too, and an American League team can of course offer DH at-bats.

Signing any veterans of Molina’s ilk next offseason depends on what the Indians’ plan winds up being for the 2020 season, and 2021 if Lindor is still around. But if they end up trying to make one last run before really breaking it up, Molina could find a lot to like in Cleveland.

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