MLB Weekly Digest August 23rd Edition: Cardinals Discussing Molina Deal

Read Time:4 Minute, 3 Second

St. Louis Cardinals Discussing One-Year Extension with Catcher Yadier Molina

The St. Louis Cardinals and catcher Yadier Molina have discussed a one-year extension, per sources told Katie Woo and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

The Cardinals are in discussions with Yadier Molina regarding a one-year contract extension, sources tell me and @Ken_Rosenthal. Molina, 39, signed a one-year/$9 mill contract in February and prefers at least the same amount for next season.

— Katie Woo (@katiejwoo) August 19, 2021

Molina would prefer to sign for at least the same amount he did in February when he agreed to a one-year, $9-million deal.

The catcher is having a solid 2021 season with the Cardinals as he has posted a .256 batting average and .679 OPS in 92 games with 16 doubles, eight home runs, 49 RBIs, and three stolen bases.

Molina has spent his entire 18-year career with the Cardinals and has the accolades to be elected into Cooperstown when he retires.

Molina spending his entire career with one franchise would be unique, as it often does not happen in baseball.

It is possible that if Molina and the Cardinals reach a one-year extension, the 2022 season might be his last.

MLB Reportedly Proposes $100 Million Salary Floor in CBA Negotiations

Major League Baseball presented a new economic plan last week in a face-to-face meeting with the MLB Players Association regarding the collective bargaining agreement, per sources told Evan Drellich and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

The proposal by MLB includes a new tax on team spending, in which it would lower the first luxury-tax threshold to $180 million and charge clubs who exceed that first mark a higher percentage than they pay today.

The proposal also included a salary minimum of $100 million.

The money collected from teams who paid the tax would fund other clubs to the minimum.

However, the details are unclear about the process of this happening, including penalties that teams would get if they fail to reach $100 million or when the minimum would start.

The current tax system has three spending tiers; the first is at $210 million.

A team that exceeds that amount must pay a tax of at least 20 percent.

The new system proposed by MLB would have the three tiers still be present, and the new tax would be introduced below them.

Taxation would begin at 25 percent for clubs above $180 million, and the rates would increase.

According to Cot’s Contracts, seven teams began the 2021 season with payrolls projected to be under $100 million.

Nine clubs had an Opening Day payroll that exceeded the proposed $180-million threshold.

The proposal had more elements, but they are unknown, leaving more questions than answers.

The luxury tax is a significant issue even though we do not have more information from the proposal.

The MLBPA wants to see the luxury-tax threshold increased, not lowered, to promote spending.

The Players Association has vehemently been against a cap, and MLB remains the lone major sports league in North America without one.

The commissioner’s office might see this proposal to force bottom teams to spend and help prevent tanking.

However, a team that wants to keep a low payroll can give an above-market deal to a player to satisfy the minimum requirement without improving their respective ballclub.

The idea of MLB trying to set a salary floor is not the best idea as that amount is pointless.

The way clubs decide to allocate resources will determine if they will be competitive.

Some ideas that would make sense for the new CBA allow the trading of draft picks, eliminating streaming blackouts, and paying minor leaguers a living wage.

The current CBA expires on Dec. 1, and if no agreement is reached, the owners could institute a lockout.

Toronto Blue Jays Place Outfielder George Springer on IL with Knee Sprain

According to a team announcement, the Toronto Blue Jays have placed outfielder George Springer on the injured list after an MRI revealed a left knee sprain.

ROSTER MOVES:

🔹 OF George Springer (left knee sprain) placed on 10-day IL

🔹 We've recalled INF Otto Lopez, who will wear number 72 and be active tonight pic.twitter.com/gPqUGlKYzf

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 17, 2021

Since signing a multi-year contract this past winter, Springer has been limited to 49 games in his first season with the Blue Jays.

#BlueJays say George Springer’s knee sprain is a grade 1.
Best news possible.

— Scott Mitchell (@ScottyMitchTSN) August 18, 2021

The outfielder has played a critical role in the team having success this season, as he sets the table for the lineup and plays superb defense in centerfield.

He has compiled a .269 average and .972 OPS with 12 doubles, one triple, 16 home runs, 35 RBIs, and two stolen bases while being their primary center fielder and leadoff man.

Springer has dealt with injuries to his oblique and quad this season as well.

The Blue Jays are hopeful that Springer will return before the regular season is over as they need him healthy to have a chance of being one of two Wild Card teams in the American League.

Next week, the Weekly Digest will give you more from MLB and the homestretch.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

[email protected]

http://ngscsports.com