2 top trade targets for White Sox to replace Yasmani Grandal

Yadier Molina won two World Series with Tony La Russa’s St. Louis Cardinals

This might sound blasphemous for St. Louis Cardinals fans, but there is a chance future hall of fame backstop Yadier Molina could be reunited with his former skipper in Chicago. Molina has spent his entire 18-year career in St. Louis, but he is not winning a third World Series with the Cardinals this year. At almost 39-years-old, would he want to leave to go play for a winner now?

Molina is year-to-year at this point of his career. He will be a free agent once again this winter. In most circumstances, he would not want to leave St. Louis. However, Tony La Russa’s club may have what it takes to win the whole thing. This would afford Molina to potentially ride off into the sunset as a three-time World Series champion. Of course, leaving St. Louis will impact his legacy.

On the year, Molina is slashing .258/.305/.417 with eight home runs and 40 runs batted in. Though not the offensive player he was in his prime, Molina has always had a great glove behind the plate. Factor in the veteran leadership he would provide and he might help get the White Sox past the ALCS and into the World Series. Then again, he may not want to play for another team.

Overall, the White Sox may stand pat and wait for Grandal to recover from his knee injury. This does not appear to be of the season-ending variety. However, they will have their opportunities to see if they can acquire former All-Star backstops from the NL Central in either Contreras of the Cubs or Molina of the Cardinals. Either way, the White Sox could be in the market for a catcher.

What should the White Sox do to address Grandal’s injury heading into the second half of July?