Although Yadier Molina may be considered a foe to many Cubs fans, there is always a possibility he could become a friend in future years.

Molina has enjoyed the first few years of retirement as a baseball dad, supporting his 16-year old son Yanu’s high school career. Yanu is currently uncommitted, but plays on the varsity baseball team at Lake Travis High School in Texas, the alma mater for MLB player Brett Baty and NFL quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Watching Yanu’s baseball career pan out has given Molina the itch to become an MLB manager, but for now, he wants to remain focused on his family.

“I would love to have (coaching) experience and think I can have that soon, but like I said I’m concentrating on my family,” Molina told The Athletic’s Katie Woo, “That’s the hard part for me to make a decision about managing.”

When asked where he would like to manage, Molina’s options remained open. Open enough that he could potentially see himself managing on the North Side – with a team that was his main rival for his entire 19-year MLB career (all with the St. Louis Cardinals).

“If I have a chance to manage, I can manage anywhere … I’d manage the Chicago Cubs, if they want,” Molina said.

[An added benefit for Cubs to carry Matt Shaw on Japan roster]

Molina was known as a “Cubs killer”, hitting .285 with a .756 OPS in 247 career games against the Cubs.. The nine-time Gold Glove backstop was known for his clutch play, ability to handle the Cardinals pitching staff and a knack for thwarting opponents on the bases with his strong arm.

After retiring in 2022, Molina was named manager of Team Puerto Rico for the 2023 World Baseball Classic – where he managed star shortstop Francisco Lindor, as well as former Cubs Javy Báez and Marcus Stroman. Team Puerto Rico advanced to the knockout stage but was eliminated by Mexico in the quarterfinals.