February 06, 2006
New Wings for Molina
Bengie Molina signed with the Blue Jays this afternoon.
Free-agent catcher Bengie Molina is the club’s latest acquisition in perhaps its most memorable winter, signing a one-year deal worth $4.5 million (all figures U.S.) with a mutual option for 2007 worth $7.5 million with a $500,000 buyout.
Molina becomes the club’s fifth major upgrade, joining power right-hander Burnett, closer B.J. Ryan, slugging third baseman Troy Glaus and first baseman Lyle Overbay.
“We’re thrilled that Bengie Molina is now a Blue Jay,” said team president Paul Godfrey. “The team is much different from last year, a lot of power in the lineup, a lot of good arms in the rotation now and we’re very, very excited.”
I'm not sure if this is really an upgrade. Zaun produced 14 wins shares to Bengie's 15 in 2005. I suppose that with Molina being younger, he's more likely to repeat that kind of season.
It's not a great contract coming off a career year. I'm sure that Bengie wishes he jumped at this Mets offer:
Molina was courted heavily by several teams, reportedly turning down an $18-million-US, three-year deal with the New York Mets. He played things out down to the wire before finally settling with the Jays.
It's not a great contract coming off of his career but that career-high OBP of .333 isn't a confidence booster. Additionally, his caught stealing numbers are WAAAY down. They're down enough to make it think that part of that is due to Molina instead of all of it being due to pitchers with slow deliveries.
And his value is largely in his caught stealing-- despite his rep he's never been much of a backstop. About as bad a backhander to his right as I've seen in the majors...
Of course even waay down his cs is pretty good and--
Zaun's was surely the best year he was ever going to have and--
Its effectivly one year five mil unless he does awfully good or inflation explodes...
Molina doesn't bring that much more to the table than Zaun. He has a little more power, but he's also a slow base runner. I'll welcome his homers, but I'll feel much better about this trade if JP can find a little more in the coffers to sign a power hitting OF (or get something done via a trade).
While his caught stealing numbers are down, the attempts by runners are down consistently every year, suggesting only the very good stealers are running on him, which would tend to skew your CS%. Sometimes just having the reputation of being a great throw out specialist, can save you some runs.
I think the part you are all missing about Bengie Molina is the way he handles pitchers, and the way he blocks the plate. Learned from one of the best: Mike Scioscia.
Bob: That's overrated. How many runs are saved per season because a catcher does a good job blocking the plate? 1? 2? I bet it doesn't even add up to one win per season. Anyway, his 10 passed balls last year isn't that impressive, and it's a career high.