Molina Mourns Trades, Criticizes Management

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina is considered the best in the game at what he does.

The seven-time all-star is well-compensated for his many accomplishments – made a wealthy man via the third largest contract on his team, a five-year, $75 million dollar deal. The Puerto Rican native owns two mansions in the US, started his own record company, has lucrative endorsement deals and gives to others via his charitable foundation.

The 32-year-old is also a good teammate and friend, especially to two of the players his club traded away this week in catcher Tony Cruz and outfielder Jon Jay.  After better seasons in the past, the two now ex-Cardinals batted just .204 and .210, respectively, in 2015.

Molina’s unhappiness over the departures spilled over into his social media accounts on Tuesday, where he posted this photo along with some pointed comments.

This is what he said on Twitter.

So sad!First Tony and now Jay!! Maybe I’m next!!!It may be business but for me you guys are family. U will b missed!

Nice sentiment and all, but in reality, Molina has exactly zero chance of being “next” – unless he has quietly waived his full no-trade protection.

The catcher should have stopped there, but unconstrained by 140 characters, he went further on Instagram – perhaps one step too far.

yadier_marciano_molina very sad!! first tony , now jay!!! wow maybe iam next!!! ,,, i know is business for them ,,,, they dont care about anything only business ,,for me we are family ,, iam so sad men!! @jonjayu @dakidcruz i wish you guys the best !!

This is a good reminder that players can at times be as emotional as fans. Yet, the criticism of his long-time employer was better off unsaid in a public forum.

By upgrading their bench via these trades, it seems to many impartial observers that “they” – undoubtedly a reference to the Cardinals front office – are taking necessary steps to improve the roster.

If the Cardinals cared only about business, as Molina asserts, they would have maintained the status quo with the less-expensive Cruz and Jay instead of taking on more payroll dollars and years of contract commitment by adding Brayan Pena to replace Cruz and Jedd Gyorko in return for Jay.

Since Molina was injured and unavailable in each of the last two post-seasons as the Cardinals were eliminated, it is too bad he cannot appreciate that his bosses are making moves to try to make his team better – and specifically to keep him healthier.

Clearly one of his team’s leaders, Molina is one of the few remaining Cardinals to possess two rings. I trust in time he will accept that changes that may feel uncomfortable to him personally are needed to put him in a better position to earn a third.

Hopefully, that next championship is what matters most to everyone involved.

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