Cardinals disappointed about Yadier Molina's absence at Winter Warm-Up - Belleville News Democrat

ST. LOUIS -- Fans of Yadier Molina are being shut out this weekend at the St. Louis Cardinals' 16th annual Winter-WarmUp.

The popular Cardinals catcher is not attending the fanfest for the second consecutive year, even though he had been scheduled to appear.

Autograph tickets for Molina were sold out in advance, with all funds to be donated to Cardinals Care. Fans with autograph tickets will be reimbursed.

Cardinals General Manager John Mozeliak would have preferred that Molina be among the players at the event, being held at the Hyatt Regency at The Arch.

"I don't think we should read too much into him not being here this year," Mozeliak said. "He wasn't here last year. I just don't think he really loves the autograph process and going through all that. I do know that he'll probably make a donation (to Cardinals Care) to try to make up for that."

Five years ago, former manager Tony La Russa was aggravated when infielder Adam Kennedy bowed out of the Warm-Up. La Russa also was peeved several years ago when utilityman Scott Spiezio arrived late to sign autographs.

Cardinals management over the years has strongly encouraged its players to participate in the Warm-Up, if only for public-relations reasons.

"He understands the club's stance on this," Mozeliak said of Molina. "But clearly, it's not something that has become a big issue. He and I did briefly chat, and in terms of where we go in the future, we'll cross that bridge when we have to."

Mozeliak said Molina's absence had nothing to do with frustration over the Cardinals' inability to re-sign Albert Pujols. Molina and Pujols are close friends whose clubhouse cubicles were side-by-side.

Molina is unsigned beyond this season, when he will earn $7 million. Mozeliak doesn't anticipate that Pujols' departure will hinder the Cardinals' ability to sign Molina to a long-term deal.

"I've had a lot of intimate conversations with his agent (Alan Nero) and I do not think that's going to be an issue at all," Mozeliak said.

Molina enjoyed the best season of his career in 2011, with career-highs in average (.305), doubles (32), home runs (14) and RBIs (65). He also won his fourth consecutive Rawling Gold Glove Award.

For more on the Cardinals, see Monday's News-Democrat or visit www.bnd.com.