Posted at 10:24 a.m., Monday, January 21, 2008
Baseball: Cards, Molina agree on $15.5M, 4-year deal
Associated Press
ST. LOUIS — Yadier Molina, one of the top defensive catchers in the major leagues, agreed Monday to a $15.5 million, four-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.The 25-year-old had asked for a raise from $525,000 to $2.75 million in salary arbitration and the Cardinals had offered $1.85 million.
Molina gets a $250,000 signing bonus, $1.75 million this year, $3.25 million in 2009, $4.25 million in 2010 and $5.25 million in 2011. The deal includes a $7 million club option for 2012 with a $750,000 buyout, and the option increases to $7.5 million if he is traded.
Molina hit .275 with six homers and 40 RBIs in 111 games last season, missing significant time with a broken left wrist. He's the younger brother of two other major league catchers, Bengie Molina of the Giants and Jose Molina of the Yankees.
Right-hander Todd Wellemeyer is the last St. Louis player remaining in arbitration. He asked for a raise from $635,000 to $1,325,000 and was offered $875,000.
