San Francisco Giants Baseball (SF Giants Rumors)

What If the Giants Don’t Sign Molina, Who’s Out There?

What If the Giants Don’t Sign Molina, Who’s Out There?
by Darrin Reyes

There is a big possibility that the Giants may not re-sign Bengie Molina for the 2010 season. All the Giants fans know that Buster Posey is moving his way up the Giants farm system, but he probably wont be ready by opening day in 2010. The Giants will need to sign a catcher that would be willing to sign for only one year. However if they sign a player for 2 years the second year may be in a back up role.
　
Rod Barajas
His numbers look to match up to Molina’s the most out of the four candidates. He finished last year with 19 Doubles, 19 Home Runs and 71 RBIs while Bengie has 25 Doubles, 20 HR and 80 RBIs. Rod Barajas has spent 11 years as a major league catcher which is only 1 year less than Molina. The upside is that he’s not a player that going break the bank. He made $2.5 million last year while Molina made $6 million. The Giants could give him a two year deal for $8 million and I think that would be a good deal for him. They could do have the deal be $6 million for ‘10 and $2 million for ‘11 or $5 million for ‘10 and $3 million for ‘11. I think the $6 million and $2 million deal would be better for the Giants because his role in 2011 would be more as back up rather than an everyday catcher. The Giants could also add a buyout option for ‘11.
　
Henry Blanco
Henry Blanco seemed to be a Giant killer in 2009. He batted .357 vs. the Giants in 2009 with 3 of his 6 Home Runs against the Giants. Blanco has played for 12 seasons with most of his time as a back up catcher. He’s only caught over 100 games twice in his career with the last time being in 2004. He is not a catcher that will stunt the growth of Posey since Blanco is used to being a back up anyways. He only made 750k last year so he’s not someone that is going to be asking for a whole lot. I think the Giants could offer him a 2 year deal for $5 million. Splitting the contract per year would be good but a safer bet would be adding in a buyout option just in case Posey makes his way up faster through the farm system then expected.
　
Jason Kendall
Jason Kendall is a player that is also on the down side of his career. He will be going into his 15 season in 2010. He would be the type of player that Giants could use to help Posey as well as the rest of the offense. He has been a big contact hitter for his career. He’s not someone that is going to hit a lot of home runs like Molina but he will help manufacture a run. These abilities has made him a lead off hitter for most of his career. On the Giants I don’t think he would be a lead off hitter but he could help Velez become the everyday lead off hitter they need. He is a very skilled catcher that could also help the growth of Posey as well. He made $5 million in 2009 so he is going to be a little more pricey than Blanco or Barajas. I think he would be a good player to sign, but the money should be used elsewhere.

Technorati Tags: Buster Posey, Free Agents, Giants, Henry Blanco, Hot Stove, Ivan Rodriguez, Jason Kendall, MLB Players Contracts, Rod Barajas, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors, What If?