A rumor is spreading strongly in baseball circles: after a glorious life with the Reds, Yadier Molina – who spent 19 seasons playing for the Cardinals and became a symbol of the city of St. Louis – is now said to be about to sign a “huge” contract worth about $300 million to buy back a large stake in the team, become a co-owner and participate in senior management.
According to many sources that have not officially revealed, the $300 million will be divided into two clear parts: about $180 million will be paid immediately to the DeWitt family – the team’s longtime owners – to transfer the existing shares; The remaining $120 million will be paid in installments over five years, with options to purchase additional shares if the team meets certain success targets, such as making the playoffs or winning the World Series. If all of the conditions are triggered, Molina could own 15–20% of the organization.
Molina, who currently serves as a guest coach for the Cardinals and has expressed interest in staying with the organization long-term after retirement, is said to have begun working on the team’s business structure. The majority of the shares Molina will buy back are non-voting shares that come with “specialized decision-making” rights regarding player development and training. If the expansion clauses are triggered, Molina could eventually convert to voting shares with the right to serve on the team’s board of directors.
A source close to the deal said: “Yadier wants to be more than just a part of the sidelines. He wants to be part of the Cardinals’ identity, not just as a former player but as an ownership leader.” If the deal goes through, it would be one of the largest deals for a former MLB player-turned-team owner in Major League Baseball.
However, there are caveats: some baseball analysts say the $300 million price tag may be “under-negotiated” and no documents have been signed. MLB team ownership often comes with strict terms with the MLB Office and the Baseball Commission, which could delay or change the final structure.
The Cardinals’ response has been mixed: the team has not issued a statement confirming or denying the rumors. A team spokesperson would only say briefly that “there is no update on the ownership structure” and “any changes will be announced in due course.”
Still, the news sent shockwaves through fans and media alike. Molina—who once caught Adam Wainwright and was a rock for the St. Louis Reds—now had the potential to be a leader in the boardroom, not just the other side of the license plate.
Fans on social media expressed mixed feelings: some wrote “it would be a dream if Yadi became a co-owner,” while others wondered whether he would stay true to his identity as a player or be sucked into the business of baseball.
The road ahead will be interesting to watch: What offsides? What are the terms? When will the deal be announced? One thing is clear: Cardinals icon Yadier Molina is likely on the verge of writing a huge new chapter.
We will continue to update as soon as we have confirmed information about the $300 million contract, official stock percentage, and Molina’s official role in the Cardinals organization.
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