Relieved to return home Yadier Molina

Currently the farewell tour of Yadier Molina in Major League stadiums Derek Jeter, David Ortiz or Edgar Martínez style cannot be planned. Retirement can wait at least a year, and the Doradeño’s full concentration is now focused on preparing for a new season and helping his team win.

A day after his signing for a year and $ 9 million was announced to re-wear the only uniform he has worn in his career, the Doradeño recipient said that despite the varied offers he had on the table, the nearly 20 years that Living in the city of San Luis with his family had a lot to do with the decision made.

“We are where we wanted to be,” Molina said through a telephone press conference. “I am very happy with the signing. We knew the market was going to be very tough this year due to the pandemic and we were prepared for many things. The work that Melvin Román (his agent) and his team have done has been amazing. I feel very happy and grateful for that ”.

‘San Luis is home. San Luis is my home. We wanted to be here and that’s what we have, ”the Puerto Rican added.

38-year old Molina played his 17-year Major League-career with the Cardinals. At one point, he said that at the end of his last contract, he thought he was interested in playing for at least two more years and that he wanted to end his great career by wearing the same uniform he made his debut with.

He even said he would have considered retiring before playing for another team, a position he later reconsidered.

“We thought about finding the contract we were looking for and all teams got their chance. But with that said, someone’s heart wanted to stay in San Luis. The family is there, the house is there. They are 18 years old and it is always the first option. But there were several interested teams, ”said Molina, who was active with the Caguas Criollos in the Mazatlán Caribbean Series 2021 in Mexico until Saturday.

“In the end it was a personal decision. I wanted to stay, finish my career there and thanks to Melvin I succeeded. There were several offers on the table and in this case it was me who made the decision, ”he added.

The player’s agent, Melvin Roman of MDR Sports Management, was satisfied with what he negotiated for his client.

“When you go to free agency, you create an expectation. It was always rumored that we wanted a two-year contract. But if it was to be wanted, we would have wanted a five-year contract. It’s actually what ultimately benefits the player and his family the most, and that’s what should be most important in these decisions: the player, the family, and whatever else is on the table. That was the route we followed and we are very happy with it, ”said Román at the telephone press conference.

Another contributing factor, according to Yadier himself, was the transactions the Cardinals have made in recent weeks, in which they decided to bring back veteran Adam Wainwright and also integrated the eight-time Golden Glove winner and four-time Silver Bat winner. , Nolan Arenado.

“We have a very good team. I am very happy with everything they have done. I think San Luis has made good strides, and that was also something that motivated us to make the decision we made, ”accepted Molina. “We know that we have a competitive team and that we can come (to the playoffs) and that after you participate anything can happen. You can warm up and win the championship. That is the goal. Win the championship, and I think we can do it with the San Luis team ”

When asked directly about retirement, Molina didn’t explain much and indicated that his mind is currently working on more pressing matters.

“At the moment we are thinking about the company and preparing for a new year. Arenado brings us new life. We will reflect and make decisions for the coming year. But now we are well focused on this new year ”, he concludes.