Cardinals Rumors: Replace Oli Marmol with Yadier Molina
Catchers often make the best managers, and Yadier Molina is no exception. Yadi managed the Puerto Rican team in the World Baseball Classic, gaining his first experience in what may be a long coaching career, should he wish to pursue it.
Managing in the big leagues right away with St. Louis would be a major leap for a player who is just a year or two removed from the game. But, Molina isn’t most players, and he knows this Cardinals team very well. Yadi was holding together the Cards mediocre pitching staff himself these past few seasons, and has even given Willson Contreras some advice on pitch selection since his retirement.
“We all know who the guy is, the best catcher the last two decades, future Hall of Famer, first ballot,” said Contreras. “But I came here to be Willson Contreras. For me it’s an honor to succeed a Hall of Famer behind the plate. It’s a big responsibility which I take, and I know that every time I step on the field, I do my 100% to win that day.”
It’s safe to say Molina is still very involved in the day-to-day operations of this team from afar. Just imagine what he could do on-site?
Surely, it wouldn’t be much worse than Marmol.