Yadier Molina is feeling jilted, and his big brother is stepping in to make sure the veteran catcher is properly recognized this winter.
"He wants to win, but he also wants to be appreciated," Bengie Molina said in an interview on ESPN radio, according to Robert Murray of Fansided.
It was reported in early December that contract talks between Yadier and the St. Louis Cardinals had stalled after the club tabled a "ridiculous" offer. Yadier has spent his entire 17-year MLB career with St. Louis.
Though terms of the Cardinals' offer were not reported, Yadier is said to be seeking at least a one-year, $10-million deal with an option for 2022; he would apparently prefer a two-year pact.
"He's finding out how valuable - that's a big, big word - how valuable he could be for another team," said Bengie, who was a 13-year veteran behind the dish before retiring in 2010. "When you are talking about a 38-year-old and they have six-to-seven teams after them, that tells you how valuable he is.
"The bad thing for the Cardinals is he is finding out how valuable he is to other teams."
Along with the Cardinals, the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels, and San Diego Padres have been tied to Yadier. Murray reports the Washington Nationals have also emerged as potential suitors for the nine-time Gold Glove winner.
The Mets have signed James McCann to a four-year, $40.6-million contract since their connection to Yadier was first reported. It's unclear if that deal has impacted their interest in the veteran.
Yadier hit .262/.303/.359 with four home runs over 42 games during the abbreviated 2020 campaign. The nine-time All-Star ranks sixth all time in games played as a catcher with 1,989 career contests behind the dish.
