Toronto Blue Jays Wiretap

Molina Signs One-Year Deal With Toronto

Gold Glove catcher Bengie Molina and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed Monday to a $5 million, one-year contract.

Molina will receive a $1.5 million signing bonus and a $3 million salary this year under the agreement, and the deal contains a $7.5 million mutual option for 2007 with a $500,000 buyout.

Molina spent his first eight years with the Los Angeles Angels and hit a career-best .295 last season with 15 home runs and 69 RBI. He won Gold Glove Awards in 2002 and 2003.

The New York Mets spoke with Molina in November and offered an $18 million, three-year contract. New York then had the chance to acquire Paul Lo Duca from the Florida Marlins and withdrew the offer to Molina before negotiations really began.

Via ESPN

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Waiting Game Continues In Toronto For Molina

Some two weeks before spring training, the waiting game continues for free-agent catcher Bengie Molina. For the Blue Jays, too.

"We'd like to have him but we're not letting it hold us up," said Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi yesterday, with a one-year, $4-million (U.S.) offer still on the table.

Molina's agent Alan Nero still believes there's a better deal to be had for his 31-year-old client, despite dwindling opportunities.

Nero said there are two other teams still in the mix (presumably the Yankees and, likely, the Dodgers), but hasn't ruled out the Jays.

"Bengie would love to be a Blue Jay," Nero said. "He loves that pitching staff and believes there's a very good chance to win. Staying in the AL would interest him, too."

Via The Star

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