Joe Strauss of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is reporting the St. Louis Cardinals and C Yadier Molina may be very near to a much-anticipated contract extension:
Movement on Molina is significant enough that source familiar w/situation believes agreement could be reached w/in a week.
— Joe Strauss (@JoeStrauss) February 24, 2012
The Cardinals drafted Molina in 2000, and he has played his entire career with the Cards. In 2011, his age 28 season, Molina hit a career-best .305/.349/.465 with 14 homers. Widely considered one of the league's top defensive catchers, Molina threw out only 29% of attempted base stealers, but has a career caught-stealing rate of 44% and has three times led the league in that category.
The St. Louis Cardinals exercised their $7 million option on Molina's contract this winter, but Molina becomes a free agent after the 2012 season.
For more on the St. Louis Cardinals, head over to Viva El Birdos, SB Nation's Cards blog. Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more breaking news and updates concerning all matters St. Louis sports, and MLB Daily Dish for all your MLB rumors and news.