Cardinals Analyst Points Out Interesting Catcher Connection

 

As the 2022-2023 MLB offseason gets underway, the St. Louis Cardinals are set to officially begin life without Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols, both of whom retired at the end of the season.

So, with that in mind, the Cardinals have made it a top priority to find a frontline catcher to replace Molina.

Molina was a nine-time Gold Glove Award winner behind the plate over his 19-year career.

Replacing him will be no easy task.

But Cards writer Derrick Goold seems to think that there’s a potential fit out on the free agent market in Christian Vazquez.

Goold notes that Vazquez and Molina share the same agent and that Vazquez was inspired by Molina.

On top of that, Vazquez’s father is a Cardinals fan.

As the #stlcards consider heirs to Yadier, tracing the connections and traits that will lead them to a discussion about free-agent Christian Vazquez.

He shares an agent with Molina. He has been inspired by Molina. Oh, and his dad is a #Cardinals fan.https://t.co/v87m3UHs47

— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) November 6, 2022

 

Could Vazquez Replace Yadi?

This could potentially be a match made in heaven for the Cardinals.

Obviously, Vazquez will be much different from Molina.

But having been inspired by the future Hall-of-Famer, Vazquez would certainly be motivated to try and carry on his legacy.

Vazquez has spent most of his career with the Boston Red Sox and was acquired by the Houston Astros at the trade deadline.

Houston recently clinched their second World Series title in franchise history and Vazquez was behind the plate for the combined no-hitter in Game 4.

He wouldn’t come cheap, but president of baseball operations John Mozeliak has stated that he plans to increase the team’s payroll.

By how much is not known, but Vazquez might be the perfect fit to replace Molina and allow Andrew Knizner a little more time to develop.