St. Louis Cardinals GM Mike Girsch says Willson Contreras is ready for Yadier Molina's role: "He's been working really hard with our staff"
The St. Louis Cardinals, for the first time in nearly two decades, needed a catcher. They signed the best on the market in Willson Contreras. Contreras faces the immensely unenviable task of following in Yadier Molina's footsteps.
It was something that was going to occur eventually, but the Cardinals are now faced with life after Molina and their new catcher does not have it easy. Despite that, Contreras is excited and Cardinals GM Mike Girsch is excited that they were able to bring Contreras in.
"This is my 17th season and the first time we have a new catcher. So it will be new for all of us."
@Cardinals GM Mike Girsch explains why signing Willson felt like a natural fit after losing Yadier Molina to retirement.
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Girsch said:
"Replacing Yadi is sort of unfair to ask of anyone, both on the field and off and in our community and in the lore of Cardinals baseball... Part of what we were trying to figure out is not just who could perform the best but who had the right attitude, the right approach to step into those shoes."
He continued:
"Again, it's not a fair ask, but you don't want someone to not know what they're getting themselves into. Willson Contreras was excited about it. He looked up to Yadi, excited about the opportunity of stepping into those shoes and taking that role and running with it."
Girsch raved about Contreras:
"He's been working really hard with our staff all off-season, getting to know our pitchers, getting to know our advanced scouting process, going through the heat maps and all those sorts of things... I've been with the Cardinals for, this is my 17th season and the first time we have a new catcher."
Contreras won't be the fan favorite or the franchise icon that Molina was, but he will likely be one of the best catchers in baseball once again.
What can the St. Louis Cardinals expect from Willson Contreras?
Last season, the St. Louis Cardinals got a very down year from Yadier Molina. He recorded just 0.1 fWAR and a wRC+ of 51. On defense, he recorded nine defensive runs saved, though.
Willson Contreras, on the other hand, was significantly better overall. He was a worse defender but still compiled 3.3 fWAR. If Contreras can continue that, he'll take over for Molina nicely.