(AFP) – Jan 21, 2008

ST. LOUIS, Missouri (AFP) — Yadier Molina, a Puerto Rican catcher who played a key role in the St. Louis Cardinals' 2006 World Series title run, signed a four-year deal Monday with the Major League Baseball team.

The deal, which offers the club an option for a fifth season, was worth 15.5 million dollars according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and keeps the 25-year-old standout with the Cardinals through the 2011 season.

"Yadier possesses game-changing ability both in the field and at the plate," St. Louis general manager John Mozeliak said. "Yadier has shown that he is a special talent when it comes to the all-important challenges of the position."

Molina smashed a two-run home run in the ninth inning of the seventh and deciding game of the 2006 National League championship series to lift the Cardinals past the New York Mets and into the World Series, where they beat Detroit.

Molina played only 111 games last year because of a fractured left wrist but hit a career-best .275 with six homers and drove in 40 runs. He underwent right knee surgery last September but should be ready for pre-season workouts next month.

Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved. More »