3 Yadier Molina replacements Cardinals could sign if necessary

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MIAMI, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 20: Kurt Suzuki #28 of the Washington Nationals reacts after running the bases from hitting a solo homerun in the third inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on September 20, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

2. Kurt Suzuki

Suzuki stands out as a solid one-year option that would keep an experienced player behind the plate. He won a World Series with the Washington Nationals in 2019 and worked with several elite pitchers as well.

Signing a veteran like Suzuki to a one-year deal allows the Cardinals to save money and reevaluate the position next offseason when things are hopefully back to some sort of normal in MLB and society.

The highlights from Suzuki’s career are his 20.2 WAR and .708 OPS. He has flashed power at the plate in a part-time role and just batted .270 during the 2020 season. Cardinals fans may be wondering why the team would replace the 38-year-old Molina with a 37-year-old Suzuki. The key is having the experience for less than what Molina wants.

Suzuki has proven he can hold his own on offense as well even if he isn’t an everyday player. He has batted .264 or above in each of the past four seasons and is a career .259 hitter.

Like Wolters, this is not a big move. What it does is keep a proven consistent player behind the plate to manage the pitching staff.

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