Following the 2022 season, Yadier Molina will be hanging up the catcher's gear for good after 19 years with the St. Louis Cardinals.
So...who will be behind the plate in 2023?
Andrew Knizner will have started the majority of this season's games by the end of the 2022 season, but that doesn't mean he's next in the line of succession. Ivan Herrera, who has seen some action in the big leagues and is currently catching for the Memphis Redbirds, may not be ready for an everyday Major League schedule. The more likely options are outside of the organization.
Cubs insider for NBC Sports Chicago Gordon Wittenmyer joined Kevin Wheeler and Chris Rongey on The Show to discuss the ongoing Cardinals and Cubs series this weekend. However, another topic of discussion was the possibility of the Cardinals acquiring Cubs catcher Willson Contreras in the off-season.
There’s “going to be serious discussion on both sides,” Wittenmyer explained. "The Cardinals are one of the top two teams in baseball that are good fits for him.” You can listen to the full conversation on Contreras in the audio clip at the top of the page.
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The Venezuela-born catcher is a three-time All Star (including 2022) and was a member of the 2016 World Series Championship Cub team.
“Nobody has a greater need than a team that’s poised to win now and is retiring a probable Hall of Fame catcher without the All Star-caliber guy right behind him,” Wittenmyer said. “I think it’s a perfect fit.”
The Show with Kevin Wheeler, Chris Rongey, and Amy Marxkors airs weekdays from 10am-2pm.