NewsGiants' Molina files for free agency
Club mulling options with Posey rising through ranks
By Chris Haft / MLB.com
11/06/09 9:04 PM EST
SAN FRANCISCO -- Hastening speculation about his immediate future, catcher Bengie Molina filed for free agency Friday, joining a fresh batch of 39 players to put themselves on the open market. The Giants maintain exclusive negotiating rights with Molina through Nov. 19. Molina has expressed a desire to return to the Giants, but club management has given no indication that it's willing to offer him anything close to the three-year, $16 million deal that expired this season. Yet the Giants also are far from certain that top prospect Buster Posey, who entered Friday hitting .218 for Scottsdale in the Arizona Fall League, will be ready to catch everyday in the Major Leagues by Opening Day. It's believed that Molina will receive a multiyear offer from another team, given his status as the top offensive catcher in free agency. He hit .265 with 20 home runs and 80 RBIs this year, bringing his three-year averages with the Giants to .278, 18 homers and 85 RBIs. The corresponding per-team averages this season for Major League catchers were .254, 16 and 73. Molina, 35, also remains above-average defensively and is regarded as a valuable clubhouse presence. He won the Giants' Willie Mac Award as the team's most inspirational player in 2007 and '08. Teams expected to be seeking catching help include Cleveland, Houston, Seattle, Tampa Bay, Toronto (unless Rod Barajas is re-signed), Washington and the New York Mets. Right-handers Bob Howry and Brad Penny, infielder Juan Uribe and outfielder Randy Winn became the first Giants to declare free agency when the filing period began Thursday. Infielder Rich Aurilia and left-hander Randy Johnson, both of whom are pondering retirement, have yet to file.Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
