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Ranking the Cardinals 3 best options to replace Yadier Molina

By Miranda Remaklus

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 03: Catcher Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs looks on during the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on June 03, 2021 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 03: Catcher Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs looks on during the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on June 03, 2021 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Alejandro Kirk, Toronto Blue Jays (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
Alejandro Kirk, Toronto Blue Jays (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

2. The Cardinals could trade with the Blue Jays for Alejandro Kirk

Another option for replacing Molina may come in the form of a trade. The Blue Jays have some talented catchers in their organization. The Cardinals have several young talented major league-ready players. What is a better mix for an exchange?

Alejandro Kirk is an intriguing replacement for Molina. At 23 years old, the catcher already has an All-Star game appearance and a Silver Slugger award. For his three-season-long career, he’s hitting  .278/.362/.426 with an OPS of .788.  He has 23 home runs and 90 RBI during that time.

He is young and still learning but has so much potential it would be hard not to take a gamble on the youngster. He is arbitration eligible in 2024 and won’t be a free agent until 2027.

Danny Jansen is another catcher in the Blue Jays’ offer. With five seasons complete, Jansen had a decent 2022 season, hitting .260/.339/.516 with an OPS of .855. He had 15 home runs, 44 RBI, and one stolen base.

He is a good defender, with five defensive runs saved in 2022. He had 12 defensive runs saved in 2019.

Jansen may not be as intriguing as the younger Kirk, but either option offers some form of an upgrade. If Mozeliak goes this direction, it would be interesting to see which catcher the Jays part with and who it would take for the Cardinals to complete the deal.

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