Rest Of Baseball Offseason Talk

[Rome]

Bengie Molina goes to the Jays on a 1-year deal.

They've got some firepower up there.

One year?   

Guess he should have taken the 3 year/$18M deal the Angels offered him last summer.

[Geowhizzer]

Today's Updates:

Reds pick Minnesota's Krivsky for GM

Nats offer Sosa incentive-laden deal

[Rome]

Updated: Feb. 9, 2006, 2:06 PM ET
Molina angry at Angels; Hillenbrand to stay with JaysAssociated Press

TORONTO -- Bengie Molina is angry at the Los Angeles Angels.

Without a notice, without calling me, that said a lot," the catcher said Thursday, three days after agreeing to a $5 million, one-year contract with Toronto. "That's what really hurts me."

Toronto, finishing a busy offseason, also agreed Thursday to a $5.8 million, one-year contract with infielder Shea Hillenbrand, who had been scheduled for a salary arbitration hearing next week.

Molina was introduced as the Blue Jays' new catcher. His bitterness toward the Angels was clear.

"I think I built a good relationship with them," he said. "They never let me know. They just threw me like a piece of trash."

Molina signed with the Angels when he was 17.

"I don't think I did one thing to disrespect them at all for all those years," Molina said. "If anything I went out of my way for them. I even helped them get Bartolo Colon on to that club. I gave him a call. I called a couple of guys for them. And now when I needed a call, they never called me."

The 31-year-old Molina hit a career-best .295 last season with 15 homers and 69 RBI. He won Gold Gloves in 2002 and 2003.

"Bengie was an integral part of the success of this organization for the last several years and everyone involved in this organization wishes him nothing but the very best," Angels spokesman Tim Mead said.

Molina was seeking a longterm contract, and Angels GM Bill Stoneman wanted to give younger players an opportunity, according to Mead.

"We make business decisions and decisions based on personnel," Mead said. "Everyone here thinks very fondly of Bengie and continues to do so."

Jose Molina, Bengie's brother, remains with the Angels.

The New York Mets spoke with Bengie 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.

"I took a lot less money to come over here for a reason, and that's to win," Molina said.   

Ummm... no, Bengie.  You took a lot less money because no one wanted to pay your idiotic asking price.

Dumbass.

[MURP]

Big Hurt has always been one of my favorite players. Back in the 90's I used to love watching him and Griffey Jr.

same here, which led to owning about 50+ cards of them which are now worthless. ha. 

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

I don't want to hear it.  I have about 40-50 David Justice cards.

[Rome]

I have a dozen Steve Avery cards.

[Wingspan]

this is baseball...but i have about 25 rick mirer rookies. 

[MURP]

I don't want to hear it.  I have about 40-50 David Justice cards.

try 50 Bobby Bonilla's.  oh snap.

[rjs246]

I have Mike Schmidt's second year card and a Jerry Rice rookie that was bent in half. Cha Ching!

[SunMo]

i have a blood soaked gause pad from when John Lennon got shot.  it came as the prize in the bottom of the 1994 Woman's US Gymnastic Olympic Championship Edition of Wheaties

[rjs246]

I also have Jay Johnstone's autograph on a baseball. I am The Collector!

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

I don't want to hear it.  I have about 40-50 David Justice cards.

try 50 Bobby Bonilla's.  oh snap.

Please tell me you're kidding.

[Geowhizzer]

I have an autographed Tyler Green rookie card. 

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

He was good for like a month.

[rjs246]

I have an autographed Mike Bordick card.