Cardinals: 5 best-case scenario replacements for Yadier Molina
By Tim Boyle
Some of the best-case scenarios to replace injured St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina aren’t so realistic but they do have several options from short-term blockbusters to longer solutions.
The St. Louis Cardinals might not be with a familiar face for a long time. Age has finally caught up with Yadier Molina. A knee injury has landed him on the IL and the future isn’t so promising for the 39-year-old backstop who turns 40 in July. He’ll be out for an indefinite amount of time to rest up.
What are the Cardinals going to do to fill the void? It has been a long time since they had to answer this question. Minus Molina, they are without a stalwart on the roster. Backup Andrew Knizer should see significant playing time. Unfortunately, the more he plays the worse of a hitter he looks like he is.
Fortunately, if there is one thing they can feel good about, it’s that they have a chance to find some answers before the 2022 trade deadline passes. The Cardinals should direct their attention to what’s available both in trades and free agency. These five options might be the best-case scenario for them.
1) Cardinals: A trade for Cubs catcher Willson Contreras would be epic for St. Louis
Will the Chicago Cubs trade Willson Contreras to the rival Cardinals? It’s only going to happen if St. Louis blows the Cubs out of the water with a deal or everyone else loses interest completely.
The last time they made any trade at all was in 2007 when John Nelson was sent to the Cubs as part of a conditional deal. Prior to that, there are only two deals between these clubs after 1980. Those deals include Jeff Fassero going from the Cubs to the Cardinals in 2002 and Todd Zeile doing the opposite in 1995.
Odds are not in favor of this best-case scenario happening. The Cubs don’t want to hand the Cardinals a championship. St. Louis doesn’t want to give up a major prospect for the Cubs. If push comes to shove, maybe the two sides do budge.