The Cardinals decided two years ago that keeping Yadier Molina was smarter than re-signing Albert Pujols.
It looks like a brilliant move now, but you could have questioned it back in 2011.
"I remember when [Cardinals owner] Bill DeWitt and I would talk," general manager John Mozeliak said. "We talked about players who were coming up on free agency, and we'd ask how do you replace them. He and I always felt that [Molina] was the one where we had no answer.
"It was imperative that we kept him."
The Cardinals didn't have to pick one over the other, but it turned out that way. Pujols turned down a contract offer to remain in St. Louis, chasing more money in Los Angeles.