Why Yadier Molina is managing Puerto Rico in 2023 World Baseball Classic after MLB retirement

Yadier Molina isn't done with baseball yet.

After 19 years of catching for the Cardinals, the 40-year-old will be managing Puerto Rico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Molina was on each of Puerto Rico's first four WBC rosters as a player.

Managing in this event shouldn't be a big leap for Molina. He skippered Venezuela's Navegantes del Magallanes in winter ball following the 2022 MLB season, and he was a leader both on the field and in the clubhouse.

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"I've managed for 19 years in the big leagues," Molina said last season, per The New York Times. "And baseball is baseball. Here I've had a lot of pressure situations and I think it’ll be very fun to manage a team."

The World Baseball Classic is a different type of management, of course. Between the pitch count limits and the depth of the rosters, there will be a lot of choices to make. Puerto Rico is fielding a roster that includes Francisco Lindor and Javier Báez in the infield and Edwin Díaz in the bullpen. Of course, a manager would rather have too many choices than too few.

Why is Yadier Molina managing Puerto Rico?

There is much about Molina's game that he could never teach. His instincts behind the plate and knowledge of the rules are nearly unmatched. But that breadth of knowledge also has prepared him for management, in his mind and in the minds of those around him.

"He’s been managing for years," Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said last season, per The New York Times. "He’s one of the best baseball guys I’ve been around."

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Molina was offered the job by the president of Puerto Rico's baseball federation last year, well before he began his managing stint in Venezuela. 

“(Managing is) something different, and I’d like to try it early and see how it goes,” he said last year, per The New York Times. “And then after, I can decide if I want to do it over here (in the U.S.).”

What happened to Joe Espada?

Molina's appointment was not without controversy, however.

According to El Nuevo Dia, Eduardo Pérez resigned as Puerto Rico's general manager last July after Molina was appointed because the federation's president went over his head.

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Pérez's preference reportedly was Espada, the Astros bench coach who has been seeking an opportunity to manage in the major leagues. Espada has been with the Astros since 2018.

Puerto Rico World Baseball Classic roster

Puerto Rico will be fighting to get out of arguably the most difficult pool, Pool D, which also includes the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Israel and Nicaragua.

Puerto Rico has the third-best odds to win Pool D behind the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, per FanDuel. It must finish first or second in pool play to advance to the quarterfinals.

Pitchers

Catchers

Infielders 

Outfielders