Yadier Molina, Cardinals sign three-year, $60 million extension

The new deal will make Yadier Molina Major League Baseball's highest-paid catcher by average annual value.

The St. Louis Cardinals and catcher Yadier Molina have agreed to a three-year contract extension worth $60 million.

Molina joined the Cardinals in 2004 and became the team's full-time starting catcher in 2005. He signed his current contract before the 2012 season. He is expected to earn $14 million in 2017. The new deal will take effect in 2018.

The new deal will make him Major League Baseball's highest-paid catcher by average annual value.

.@Yadimolina04 to remain a @Cardinals thru 2020! #STLCards pic.twitter.com/mRJumU8UAp

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) April 2, 2017

In his 13 seasons with the Cardinals, Molina has won two World Series, made seven All-Star teams and won eight Gold Glove awards. He has a 33.3 career WAR with 1,593 hits, 108 home runs and 703 RBIs. 

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The Cardinals open the season on Sunday night against the reigning World Series champion Chicago Cubs.

- Chris Chavez