St Louis Cardinals

Yadier Molina is a free agent for the first time, and the 38-year-old seems to think that the St. Louis Cardinals aren't taking his demands seriously.

Per Mark Saxon of The Athletic, Molina turned down an offer that he termed "ridiculous." Saxon did not provide any details about the conversation but noted that the veteran is hoping to ink a one-year deal with an option that is worth at least $10 million but "would prefer" a two-year contract.

The lifetime Cardinals catcher, who joined the team in 2004, said in an interview last month that a number of teams are interested, including the New York Yankees, New York Mets and Los Angeles Angels, but he wants to remain in St. Louis.

Though it would be easy to balk at the idea of a player in his late 30s demanding a bigger payday, Molina has remained successful as of late. He earned two of his nine All-Star selections in 2017 and 2018, and his trophy case is rounded out by nine Gold Gloves, four Platinum Gloves and a Silver Slugger.

In last year's shortened season, he hit .262/.303/.359 with 16 RBI and four home runs in 145 at-bats.

The Cardinals organization appears to be interested in trying again on an offer for Molina, with president of baseball operations John Mozeliak saying that they would need to "explore outside options" if the face of their franchise were to hit the road.

Matt Wieters appeared in 18 games behind the plate last season, while Andrew Knizner was limited to seven. There's a bright spot in the future, since the team's No. 4 prospect, Ivan Herrera, is a catcher, but he isn't expected to join The Show until 2022.

In a loaded catcher free-agent market, with J.T. Realmuto and James McCann sure to command major deals, keeping Molina around would be the best option for the Cardinals if they're hoping to follow up on their playoff appearances from the past two seasons.

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright has been named the winner of the 2020 Roberto Clemente Award:

Long awaited, more than deserved.

Adam Wainwright is your 2020 Roberto Clemente Award Winner! pic.twitter.com/SKcyCoo8rw

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) December 7, 2020

The annual award named after the Hall of Fame outfielder is given to the player who displays "extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field." 

Each team in the majors nominates one player for the award, and Wainwright has been nominated five times for the honor during his career and claimed the award for the first time this season.

It's the second time in the last three years a Cardinals player has won after catcher Yadier Molina was honored in 2018.

Wainwright created Big League Impact in 2013, which helps provide food, clean water, medical care and shelter for people around the world. The organization has supplied critical help to Haiti, constructing the Ferrier Village Secondary School in 2020 as well as helping build a clean water system and providing hot lunches and needed supplies.

Along with Garth Brooks, he also helped create the Home Plate Project which fundraised over $1 million in 2020 and provided more than four million meals to those in need.

"When we look back at our career, that's what we'll be most proud of, I would think," he said of his charitable work, per Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports. "When we wake up in the morning, we realize what God has given us. By knowing that, we know what we have to give others."

Wainwright also made a significant impact on the field this season, finishing the year with a 3.15 ERA that was his lowest mark since 2015. He also had five wins in 10 starts, tossing two complete games to help the Cardinals reach the playoffs.

The 39-year-old has three All-Star selections and two Gold Glove awards during his 15 years in the majors.

As lifetime St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina explores free agency, a number of teams have expressed interest. 

On Twitter, MLB insider Hector Gomez shared Laura Bonnelly's interview with Molina on Mas Que Pelota in which the 38-year-old said that while the New York Yankees, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Angels "have shown interest," he wants to stay with the Cardinals. 

Though he's been hanging around the big leagues since 2004, much of Molina's success has come more recently, with his nine All-Star nods coming since 2009—including two as recently as 2017 and 2018. Molina is also a nine-time Gold Glove award winner and boasts four Platinum Gloves in addition to a Silver Slugger, and of course a pair of World Series championships.

In 2020, he slashed .262/.303/.359, with 38 hits, 16 RBI and four home runs through 145 at-bats, appearing in 42 games for St. Louis.

But for all the interest that Molina says is expressed by multiple teams, one report suggests the Cardinals hold the upper hand in this sweepstakes. 

Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch wrote that Molina is looking for a two-year deal. The Cardinals are aware of his wishes, and while they haven't made an offer, his long history with the franchise will play into any contract negotiations, per Goold: 

"From the outside looking in, other teams see the Cardinals as the most likely to mix emotions with financials to sign Molina, and that other teams aren't. [Owner] Bill DeWitt Jr. told me this past week that he hopes they can bring back both Molina and Adam Wainwright, and [president of baseball operations John] Mozeliak has said that the negotiations with Molina are going to have to include both an emotional/legacy element and a financial element."

To other teams, a two-year deal that ties a franchise to a player until after his 40th birthday may be a breaking point, but Molina's connection to the Cardinals may help him get his wish to play for another two seasons.

Veteran catcher Yadier Molina is reportedly being pursued by the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, New York Mets and multiple other teams in free agency.

According to MLB Network's Jon Heyman, Molina is seeking a two-year contract, and the Cardinals are favored to retain him, but "in free agency you never know."

The 38-year-old Molina is set to enter his 18th MLB season and has spent his entire career with the Cards.

During his illustrious career, Molina has been named an All-Star nine times and has won nine Gold Glove awards, four Platinum Glove awards, one Silver Slugger award and two World Series.

With a career slash line of .281/.333/.404 and 160 home runs, 932 RBI, 713 runs scored and 2,001 hits to go with his elite defense, Molina has perhaps carved out a Hall of Fame career.

He may not have much on-field time left, but he continues to produce. In 42 games last season, he hit .262 with four homers and 16 RBI, which is solid for a catcher who is also a plus defender.

He is also just three seasons removed from his most recent All-Star nod in 2018, a campaign during which he hit 20 home runs and drove in 74 runs, marking some of his best offensive numbers.

The Yankees and Mets stand out as two clubs that could really use his services.

Catcher was a major issue for the Yanks last season because of Gary Sanchez's struggles at the plate. Although he hit 10 home runs and drove in 24 in 49 games last season, he hit a mere .147 and struck out 64 times in just 156 at-bats.

It wouldn't have been such a big issue if Sanchez was great defensively, but he isn't good in that area either. As a result, the Yankees started Kyle Higashioka behind the plate for much of their playoff run.

Molina would give the Yankees not only an elite defensive catcher, but also another hitter who doesn't give easy outs.

The Mets' starting catcher last season was Wilson Ramos, but he is a free agent as well. Regardless of whether they sign Molina, the Mets may not have much interest in re-signing Ramos after he hit just .239 with five home runs and 15 RBI last season.

New Mets owner Steve Cohen has made it clear that winning is his No. 1 priority, and the belief is he won't be afraid to spend money to make it happen. Because of that, he may be willing to give Molina his asking price.

Molina is synonymous with the Cardinals organization, and it is tough to envision him playing elsewhere, but with teams undoubtedly valuing his experience and penchant for playing winning baseball, St. Louis promises to have plenty of competition.

The Atlanta Braves are interested in signing free-agent starting pitcher Adam Wainwright, per David O'Brien and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:

"Sources said the Braves have contacted Wainwright, a two-time Cy Young Award runner-up and a free agent after 15 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, about returning to the organization that drafted him 20 years ago out of Glynn Academy near his hometown of St. Simons Island, where the 6-foot-7 right-hander and his family still make their home."

Wainwright did not discuss the Braves' reported interest but provided comment to The Athletic: "At this point, we have received many calls and are listening to all options."

Per The Athletic, Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos did not provide comment on Wainwright or any other "free agent possibilities." Rosenthal and O'Brien reported that Atlanta manager Brian Snitker "has kept in contact with Wainwright through the years."

Wainwright went 5-3 with a 3.15 ERA and 1.05 WHIP last year while striking out 54 batters in 65.2 innings.

The Braves picked Wainwright 29th overall in the 2000 MLB draft out of Glynn Academy in Brunswick, Georgia. Atlanta traded him to the St. Louis Cardinals on Dec. 13, 2013, in a five-player deal.

Wainwright's entire MLB career, which began in 2005, has been with the Redbirds. He is 167-98 with 1,830 strikeouts and a 3.38 lifetime ERA. He's finished second in the National League Cy Young voting twice and third another two times.

The three-time All-Star led the league with 19 victories in 2009 and 2013 and shutouts in 2013 and 2014.

Wainwright is perhaps best known for his strikeout of New York Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran with the bases loaded and two out in the bottom of the ninth inning of the Cards' 3-1 win in Game 7 of the 2006 National League Championship Series. St. Louis eventually won the World Series that year over the Detroit Tigers.

The right-hander missed the entirety of the Cards' 2011 World Series-winning season after suffering a torn UCL and undergoing Tommy John surgery. He returned in 2012 and helped the Cards win the 2013 National League pennant, however.

St. Louis has only had a losing record during one of Wainwright's seasons and missed the playoffs just six times during that span.

The 39-year-old veteran would be a good addition to a young Braves starting rotation that includes NL Cy Young candidate Max Fried, fireballer Ian Anderson and the promising Mike Soroka, who missed nearly the entire 2020 season with a torn right Achilles tendon.

Atlanta was one game away from beating the eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, who took down the Braves in the NL Championship Series four games to three. With Wainwright, Atlanta could obtain the edge needed to put it over the top.

Dexter Fowler has long been one of the more enjoyable outfielders in baseball.

He's the type of player loved by both St. Louis Cardinals fans and Chicago Cubs fans and has slugged his way into the hearts of many around the sport.

Fresh off appearing in 31 games for the Cards this season, Fowler joined B/R for an AMA in which he dished on what it's like to hit a home run in the World Series, his custom cleats and his favorite stadium to play in. 

But good luck getting him to pick his favorite pizza between Chicago and St. Louis. 

The following is the full transcript from the B/R AMA session.

        

@Chunkybuttluvin: Who's got better pizza? Chicago or St. Louis?

Depends on who you ask. I've had both good pizza. Can't pick one.

        

@Coco9: What was that home run in Game 7 of the World Series like?

I kinda blacked out. Going up to bat, your heart is pumping like crazy and then you get up there and you realize it's the same game. I hit the ball and that whole thing is a blur. I really haven't watched the game back. I've seen the highlights but I haven't watched everything surrounding that Game 7. I'm gonna wait until the end of my career to do that.

        

@mlbjmaur: Favorite moment at Wrigley Field?

Probably one of the playoff games. We had a lot of great times there. That whole year in 2016 was special. The fans showed up and obviously we did as well. We won the NLCS there against the Dodgers and the atmosphere was unreal. It hits you that you're going to the World Series. We came up short in 2015 playing against the Mets. I felt like we were eager to get back. And taking care of business was awesome too. First game of the World Series we were all out of sorts. They kept telling us we couldn't park here, couldn't go there, it's tight at Wrigley...not a lot of space. The President was coming too so it was intense.

        

@Not_KyleLowry: Why did you pick 25?

I was 24 because of Ken Griffey Jr. growing up. I picked 25 because Barry was my mentor. I'm closest to Barry Bonds. Barry is my guy. I met Jr. actually in 2008 in Spring Training. I got a chance to meet Jr. and he gave me his number. It was awesome knowing he knew who I was. I can text him whenever I need anything. He's the best.

       

@TheFiendishere: Why did you choose STL to sign with as a free agent?

They win. Once we won the World Series I wanted to go to a winning team. Winning is addicting.

         

@Chickfilaisbetta: Chick-fil-A or Popeyes?

Chick-fil-A. I usually get a No. 1

          

@BRWeatherman: Which homer do you think about more, hitting a leadoff HR in Game 7 or hitting a walk-off HR over your buddy J-Hey's head in 2018?

That was a legendary homer. But honestly Game 7. Zobrist texted me he was about to throw the glove at me like 'WE CAN'T PLAY NO MORE!' from Sandlot.

       

@Steve_Perrault: Why is it so important for people to vote?

It's a right that we fought for. It's nothing you should take lightly. I think every vote counts. 

        

@IgnorantBearsFan: Was J-Hey's rain delay speech as legendary as people say?

Everybody just dispersed their different ways. It was J-Hey's idea. 4 or 5 of us spoke. He got us together so we could regroup.

        

@colton_frank1: Who is your funniest teammate?

Probably Austin Jackson. That dude always had me laughing. There's been a lot.

       

@BleedGreen_99: If you could play with any player, past or present, who would it be and why?

I had to say Barry Bonds. I just want to see him day to day. How he goes about his business. It would be fun watching him hit all those homers.

        

@TheFiendishere: How is it playing with Cardinal legends like Yadi and Waino?

It's great. I played against them for 8 years beforehand. You have a lot of respect for their game. It's awesome to see them still playing at a high level.

       

@Steve_Perrault: Your cleat game is ridiculous. What are your favorite custom cleats and how did the Lou Brock cleats come about after his passing?

My favorite cleats are probably the 4s or 1s from last year. They were sick. Speaking of Lou Brock… Stadium Custom Kicks hit me up and they were discussing things we could do. I'm a procrastinator so I kept saying I'd hit them up with options. Then Lou Brock passed and we were discussing ideas on what to do. I sent them a picture of this tattoo that I liked. It was like scarred up. We were trying to do a scar on the cleats with Lou Brock meshed into it and it turned out great. They did a great job.

        

@YANKS2021CHAMPS: What's your favorite stadium to play in?

Honestly, Dodger Stadium. I like the atmosphere. They play the music loud there. It feels like showtime.

        

@Jasper_Pail: Who's gonna win the World Series?

The Rays are a good team but I think the Dodgers are a really good team and will win it.

      

@RynestoneCowboy: Do you have any strong feelings about the universal DH?

I actually didn't mind it. I like it. It gives you days to breathe. You can still be part of the game.

        

@Jackmg0801: What do you think is the Cardinals biggest need?

Biggest need…Probably another big bat. Stretch out the lineup a little more.

      

@mlbjmaur: Which road city has the best food?

It's been so long since I went out to eat. I don't know. Probably New York.

       

@drewski42013: What is your best memory with the Rockies?

Maybe the playoff run we had in '09. Or Ubaldo's no-hitter.

     

@sahatjiant: What are some tips on playing outfield?

Take balls off the bat. I think that's most important. Live balls off the bat is the best practice you can get.

            

@cailloudrippen: Did you have any idea Randy was going to be this good?

Yeah. Randy can swing it. In St. Louis we had a ton of outfielders so he didn't get much of a chance but I knew his game. His tools are out of this world.

          

@rileyedwards: If you were in the jungle without any protection would you take Yadi or Goldschmidt?

Yadi. I'd have to say Yadi. He'll go after anything. If there was a lion out there he'd be like 'Let's go after this thing.'

        

@KevinPawell23: Rank these golfers best to worst: You, KB, Rizzo and Lester
Best to worst. Haven't seen Lester's game. KB is really good. I'd have to go myself the best, then KB, then Lester and Rizz.

        

@donirosenfeld93: Who was the player you most looked up to as a kid?

The Kid. Junior 100%

       

@LOGAN316: What did you think after winning the World Series?

It's over lol. It was a stressful time. You always want to be on the winning side. That game felt like it was six hours long.

       

@BRWeatherman: What are your thoughts on the unwritten rules of baseball?

Let everybody play. If pitchers can strike you out and celebrate and then you hit a homer and you bat flip - it is what it is. You're supposed to do that. Have fun. This is a game, so you should have fun playing it.

       

Rapid-Fire Questions:

Favorite play ever?

The one in Philly that I caught at the end of the game.

       

Favorite movie ever?

Gladiator.

      

Favorite sneaker ever?

I like the Jordan 17 that came in the briefcase. They were deadstock too.

      

Favorite food ever?

A really good pizza or burger.

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright's got jokes. 

Per broadcaster Evan Davis, Wainwright appeared on Fox's broadcast of the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves game and joked that shortstop Paul DeJong joins half of the team as "flat Earthers and moon landing conspiracists."

MLB Network's Jon Heyman spoke to DeJong's agent, who noted that the Illinois State product has a degree in biochemistry, and his grandmother was a scientist, making it highly unlikely DeJong is a member of the Flat Earth Society:

Wainwright was funny on TV. This story was a joke, we think. Paul DeJong’s agent Burton Rocks said, “Its a joke. Paul DeJong has a degree in biochemistry. His grandmother Sharon Whipple was a scientist.” OK, funny stuff. https://t.co/CTv5H9L1YL

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 8, 2020

According to the Illinois State baseball roster, DeJong was on a pre-med track before the Cardinals drafted him in the fourth round in 2015.  

Hall of Famer Bob Gibson died at age 84 Friday, St. Louis Cardinals spokesman Brian Bartow confirmed to the New York Times. 

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Rick Hummel, Gibson was in hospice care after having spent the past year battling pancreatic cancer.

KMOV.com shared a statement from Cardinals manager Mike Shildt: "When it rains, it pours. We knew he wasn't in great shape the last couple days. It's another big loss that's hard to swallow, right after Lou [Brock]. And for the Gibson family, our thoughts and prayers go out to them. We know he's in a place with more comfort and peace."

Mike Shildt on the passing of Bob Gibson: "It's another big loss right there with Lou that is hard to swallow... Our hearts and prayers go out to them. We know he's in a place with more comfort and peace." pic.twitter.com/2NEFQRLWR5

— FanDuel Sports Network Midwest (@FanDuelSN_MW) October 3, 2020

A number of current and former players shared their thoughts on the legendary ace:

Rip Mr Bob Gibson! We will miss you dearly. A standard setter on the mound your entire career and one of the most feared competitors to ever play the game of baseball! I totally enjoyed my conversations with you in Cooperstown. #Thanksforeverything#TrueLegend#Godbless

— Frank Thomas (@TheBigHurt_35) October 3, 2020

As much as I wanted be, tried to be like Bob Gibson, there was only one Bob Gibson! My deepest sympathy to the Gibson family. RIP to the #1 starter of the Black Aces. 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

— maddox 💹🧲 (@maddoxx000000) October 3, 2020

Bob Gibson - the ultimate competitor and my favorite pitcher of all time. I wish I had the chance to meet you and talk baseball for a little bit. Rest In Peace ❤️

— Lucas Giolito (@LGio27) October 3, 2020

RIP ❤️ ✊🏽
Thank you for all your wisdom
You are a legend
❤️✊🏽 pic.twitter.com/9HVldf8vPG

— Jack Flaherty (@jflare_) October 3, 2020

Hall of Famer Bob Gibson has passed away at the age of 84.

Jim Edmonds on Bob Gibson: "Gibby was just full of life and just so amazing to be around. It's a tough pill to swallow right now." pic.twitter.com/DP73X1mNvk

— FanDuel Sports Network Midwest (@FanDuelSN_MW) October 3, 2020

Gibson's 89.2 WAR are third-most in St. Louis Cardinals history, trailing only Stan Musial (128.3) and Rogers Hornsby (91.4), per Baseball Reference. Over a 17-year career—all of which was spent in St. Louis—he was a nine-time All-Star, two-time Cy Young, two-time World Series MVP and the 1968 MVP.

Most fans immediately think of Gibson's dominant 1968 season when recalling the right-hander's exploits.

In 34 starts, he went 22-9 with 28 complete games and 13 shutouts. His 1.12 ERA was the lowest since the deadball era, and it's doubtful anybody will ever come close. Following the "Year of the Pitcher," MLB lowered the mound by five inches and shrunk the strike zone.

The Cardinals were World Series champions in 1964 and 1967. Their repeat bid fell short in 1968 through little fault of Gibson. He fanned 17 Detroit Tigers batters in the opening game and pitched 27 innings over the course of the series.

Friday is the 52nd anniversary of his legendary Game 1 performance.

Gibson's 7.2 strikeouts per nine innings might seem somewhat modest by modern standards, but they do little to convey the fear he put into opposing hitters. Hank Aaron famously told teammate Dusty Baker that Gibson would "knock down his own grandmother" at the plate in order to prove a point.

Gibson was enshrined into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981, receiving the nod in his first year on the ballot.

The St. Louis Cardinals are heading back to the playoffs for the second consecutive year. 

One of the National League's marquee teams clinched its 14th postseason berth since 2000 with Sunday's 5-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

The #STLCards are IN! pic.twitter.com/TuiiUdAG1U

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) September 27, 2020

The 2020 season has thrown just about all it can at the Cardinals.

Only five games into a 60-game season, St. Louis faced an outbreak of COVID-19 in the clubhouse that caused the team's next 16 games to be postponed. The Cardinals went from July 30 to Aug. 14 without any baseball activities, ultimately renting cars to make a safe trip to Chicago to resume their season against the Chicago White Sox. 

Once they got there, there was no question the team was ready to compete.

St. Louis swept a double-header in its first games back and quickly inserted itself into the postseason picture. It took some creative scheduling—and 10 more double-headers—for the Cardinals to make up their missed games, yet the team kept racking up enough wins to stay relevant. 

It took until the last weekend of the regular season, but the grind paid off with a postseason berth. 

First baseman Paul Goldschmidt and catcher Yadier Molina led the way on offense, with the All-Star infielder slashing .294/.412/.460 while Molina hit .268/.305/.366.

No one in the lineup hit more than seven home runs—Brad Miller and Tyler O'Neill tied for the mark—but at least five players finished with 20 or more runs batted in.

That was more than enough run support for a pitching staff featuring Dakota Hudson (2.77 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 31 K, 15 BB), Adam Wainwright (3.15 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 54 K, 15 BB) and Jack Flaherty (4.91 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 49 K, 16 BB).

What seemed like a season on the brink has resulted in the Cardinals doing what they're best known for: finding a way to make it to October. 

St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Shildt has been suspended one game and fined by Major League Baseball for his part in a bench-clearing incident against the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday. 

According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, Shildt will serve his punishment during Game 2 of a doubleheader against Milwaukee on Wednesday.

No punches were thrown between the two teams and Shildt is officially getting reprimanded for "actions that contributed to inciting the benches-clearing incident". 

Shildt may not have been the initial instigator, but he no doubt helped escalate the situation. 

In the bottom of the fifth inning, with the Cards getting blown out 12-2 in an eventual 18-3 loss, Shildt went to check on Yadier Molina after Milwaukee's Ryan Braun hit the catcher's wrist with a swing during his at-bat. While at the plate, Shildt was able to hear some of the Brewers talking trash and began to take issue.

Here's how Shildt explained the incident to reporters postgame (h/t MLB.com's Adam McCalvy)

“I don’t know where the insult came from. I feel like it was more directed to me, quite honestly,” Shildt said. “Did I do anything to warrant it? Perhaps. I was staring in the dugout. I will accept that. My hearing doesn’t suffer at all with a mask on.

“But I did, I did stare into the dugout. I can’t be happy with the fact that -- and look, Braun’s been in this league for a long time, he’s a good player, he’s a really good player, he’s had nice series against us. I want to make sure this is clear: There is no allegation against Ryan Braun, necessarily. It just didn’t look good. It’s the [third] catcher's inference [sic] since a guy that’s caught since [June 3, 2004], when he made his debut. It just didn’t look good when a little bit of conversation that took place prior to it. …

“There was a look in the dugout, there was something said, and at that point, all bets are off.”

Brewers manager Craig Counsell called the moment a result of miscommunication.

As Shildt serves his punishment on Wednesday, the Cardinals will look to respond not only to the fracas, but a blowout loss in the middle of a playoff race.