ST. LOUIS (AP) – When it was over, when the numbers were finalized and the contract was ready, Yadier Molina cried.
Tears of joy.
Molina and the St. Louis Cardinals announced a new deal Sunday that adds $60 million over three seasons through 2020, increasing the likelihood that the catcher will finish his decorated career with his only major league team.
“This is a special day. I can’t be more happy than I am right now,” Molina said. “This is a dream come true. I always wanted to be here. … It was a hard week, going back and forth with feelings. But I’m just glad that we got it done because this is the right place to be.”
Molina’s previous deal called for a $14 million salary this year and a $15 million mutual option for 2018 with a $2 million buyout. But neither side had any interest in messing with the option, preferring an extension of their long-running partnership.