Cardinals’ Molina deal: $60 million for 3 years
When it was over, when the numbers were finalized and the contract was ready, Yadier Molina cried. Tears of joy.
Molina and the St. Louis Cardinals announced a deal Sunday that adds $60 million over three seasons through 2020, increasing the likelihood that the catcher will finish his decorated career with his only major-league team.
“This is a special day. I can’t be more happy than I am right now,” Molina said. “This is a dream come true. I always wanted to be here . ... It was a hard week, going back and forth with feelings. But I’m just glad that we got it done because this is the right place to be.”
Molina’s previous deal called for a $14 million salary this year and a $15 million mutual option for 2018 with a $2 million buyout. Neither side had any interest in messing with the option, preferring an extension of their long-running partnership.
Under the new contract, the 34-year-old will make $20 million in each of the following three seasons.
“There has been a lot written about this being a legacy contract,” general manager John Mozeliak said. “To me, this is much more than what he’s done. What it means to me is what he’s going to do. In a way, today is just the next chapter.”
Since Molina’s major-league debut in 2004, St. Louis has made nine playoff appearances and won two World Series.
Dodgers’ spending down:
The Yankees aren’t among baseball’s top two payrolls for the first time in nearly a quarter-century.
The Dodgers topped the major leagues for the fourth straight Opening Day but fell to $225 million, according to an Associated Press study. That’s the Dodgers’ lowest payroll since 2013.
Detroit was second at $199.75 million and the Yankees, in the midst of a turn toward youth, third at $195 million.
The Giants were fourth at $181.5 million and the A’s were 27th at $81.7 million.
After setting a baseball record at $270 million two years ago, the Dodgers declined to $234 million last year.
Milwaukee was last for the second straight season, at $60.8 million.
The $4.51 million average salary on Opening Day was up 1.6 percent from last year’s average of $4.38 million, the lowest rise since 2011.
At $33 million, Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw topped salaries for the third straight year. Next were Arizona pitcher Zack Greinke ($31.9 million), injured Boston pitcher David Price ($30 million), Detroit pitcher Justin Verlander ($28 million) and Detroit first baseman Miguel Cabrera ($28 million).
Jays release Upton: Toronto finalized its Opening Day roster, placing closer Roberto Osuna on the 10-day disabled list with a sore neck and releasing outfielder Melvin Upton Jr.
Right-hander Dominic Leone was recalled from Triple-A to take Osuna’s roster spot for Monday’s opener at Baltimore. Infielder Ryan Goins also will start the season with the Jays.
Osuna pitched a scoreless inning in Friday’s 1-1 exhibition tie with Pittsburgh. The righthander, who had 36 saves in 42 chances last season, is eligible to return Sunday.
Upton was acquired from San Diego on July 26 and hit .196 with four homers and 16 RBIs in 57 games with the Blue Jays. The Padres are responsible for all but $1 million of his $16.45 million salary. Toronto selected the contract of catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia from Triple-A and designated righthander Mike Bolsinger for assignment.
Briefly: Catcher Roberto Perez and Cleveland agreed to a $9 million, four-year contract that includes club options for 2021 and 2022 . ... The Reds reassigned pitcher Bronson Arroyo, trying to come back from Tommy John surgery, to Triple-A Louisville, but he could be back in the majors next weekend if he has no setbacks during his workouts . ... Lefthander Carlos Rodon was placed on the 10-day disabled list by the White Sox because of bursitis in his left biceps . ... The Twins placed left-hander Glen Perkins on the 60-day disabled list with a left posterior shoulder strain. Minnesota added backup catcher Chris Gimenez to the 40-man roster.