Current Contract
Agreed to a four-year contract extension with the Cardinals worth $15.5 million with a club option for a fifth season. He receives a $250,000 signing bonus, $1.75 million in 2008, $3.25 million in 2009, $4.25 million in 2010 and $5.25 million in 2011. The deal includes a $7 million club option for 2012 with a $750,000 buyout, and the option increases to $7.5 million if he is traded.

Agent: CSMG

Became a Cardinal
Selected in the fourth round (113th overall) of the June, 2000 First-Year Player Draft. Received a $325,000 signing bonus.

2008 Season
Molina missed the last couple of weeks of the season due to a bruised thigh he suffered from a play at the plate when Cubs pitcher Ted Lilly rammed him while trying to score. Molina also had to deal with a bruised foot and concusion during the season, but still managed to set a career high in, at-bats (444), hits (135), RBIs (56) and runs scored (37). He finished the season, hitting .304/.349/392, new career highs in each category. Remember when people use to think if Molina could just hit .260, he'd be a super star? His defensive stats were down a little, and stolen bases allowed was up, as well as runners caught stealing were down. Still one of the best defensive catchers in the majors, with probably the best arm.

2007 Season
The season took its toll on Molina's body, he missed almost the whole month of June because of a fractured left wrist, suffered a concussion in September, before he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

One of the worst hitters in baseball in 2006, hitting just .216/.274/.321, Molina improved to .275/.340/.368 in 2007.

2006 Season
Molina struggled at the plate during the regular season, hitting just .216 with six home runs in 129 games. However, many believe that Molina should have won the National League Gold Glove Award over Brad Ausmus. He caught 41% of would-be-base stealers, and picked off seven runners.

Despite his regular season struggles, Molina was one of the Cardinals best hitters in the post-season. In 16 games, he hit .358/.424/.547 with two home runs and eight RBI, including a dramatic game-winning home run in the top of the ninth inning in game seven of the NLCS.

Career Notes
Molina was called up to the Majors for the first time on June 3, 2004, to replace injured catcher Mike Matheny. He threw out 50% of would-be-base stealers in 51 games and hit .267 that season. In 2005, he absolutely shut down the opponent's running game, throwing out 17 of 31 (55%) runners attempting to steal. He allowed the fewest stolen bases (14) among Major League catchers, with Joe Mauer next with 31 allowed. He finished that season hitting .252 with eight home runs and 49 RBI.

MISC
Molina's two older brothers, Bengie and José, are also major league catchers, Bengie with the San Francisco Giants, and José with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Player Awards
Gold Glove Award - 2008

Contract Info St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Photo: MLB Photos