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December 07, 2005
Bengie Molina
From the AP:
The Los Angeles Angels are parting ways with two players who made key contributions to the team's success over the past few years, declining salary arbitration to catcher Bengie Molina and starting pitcher Jarrod Washburn.
From the Yuma Sun:
Molina, 31, said he is realistically looking for a deal in the two- to four-year range.
Basically, the teams out there in need of a starting catcher are the Astros, Dodgers, Diamondbacks and Rockies. OK, we know that the Yankees would love to see Jorge Posada not catch more than 62 games this season.
Hmmm. I smell the Yankees offering Molina a two-year deal for decent money - and then using Posada at D.H. (for the most part) this season.
In reality, despite what many think, Molina is a really bad batter. As a hitting catcher, he's almost Joel Skinner-ish. Bengie had a career year - for him - with the stick last year and was just league average in the process. And, he's the slowest man in baseball.
Didn't Brian Cashman say, just the other day, that "We don't need another station-to-station guy"?
This is why I hope my nose is wrong on this one.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at December 7, 2005 11:13 PM
Comments
Pass!
Posted by: Raf ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at December 8, 2005 10:27 AM
Diamondbacks just picked up Estrada (whom I would have rather taken a chance with than Molina), so they're out of the running. I'm not sure what the appeal of Bengie is, unless people mistake him for one of the other brothers. He's a passable backstop, but even at that, he's unspectacular. Juan is better, and Yadier has the potential to be a great catcher. If you need a body and he's cheap, well, I guess he's a body, but there must be some triple-A guy out there that can take come in and not embarass himself.
Posted by: hopbitters at December 8, 2005 10:35 AM
Yeah, I missed that Arz trade yesterday. Just another reason why NY might be on his radar.
Posted by: Steve Lombardi at December 8, 2005 10:51 AM
Two things. One, I don't think he is on our radar at all. We signed Kelly Stinnett dirt cheap, and he's a better hitter. We're going to pass on this one for sure. Two, I agree that he stinks with the stick. As he was getting his career year going I kept screaming at the TV, "But this guy isn't this good a hitter!" So, it was his best year. He still is below average, except in weight. Bottom line, pass.
Posted by: Scott Coulter at December 8, 2005 10:57 AM