Giants Re-Sign Bengie Molina

In shocking news, Bengie Molina is a Giant again. He's agreed to a 1 year, $4.5 million contract with the club after negotiations for a multi-year contract with the New York Mets failed to go through.

This signing was made possible by the signing of Aubrey Huff. Before Signing Huff to a $3 million dollar contract, the Giants offered Adam LaRoche a 2 year, $17 million deal. LaRoche declined the offer and then choose to sign a $4.5 million dollar contract with the Diamondbacks. That money saved from not signing LaRoche has worked great. I am optimistic about Huff, and even if he isn't a huge threat like he has been previously, he will add depth to the Giants already deep bench.

This year Molina should be more comfortable in the lineup as well. As opposed to last year, he will not be the clean-up hitter. As of now Aubrey Huff is expected to be the team's #4 hitter, although Pablo Sandoval or Mark DeRosa could step into that role. Molina has admitted he is not a clean-up hitter, and with this pressure off of him, it will only bring good things.

Buster Posey will now also have another year to develop. Because he is only 22 years old and a rookie, he should be given the chance to develop into major contributor. Posey has only participated 132 professional games, and this year should help him in development.

Molina is a far better choice to fill the Giants' veteran catcher void. 20 home runs and 80 RBIs is better than any other alternatives could have offered. Even after his averaged dropped to .265 last season, Molina is still clearly better than the other candidates. With much of the NL's best pitching staff returning for this season, the Giants are destined to compete even harder for a playoff spot. Here is the comparison of the opening day starting lineup from last year, and the projected one for this year. It is obviously this year's opening lineup is better, and will consist of a deeper bench.

'09 Starting Lineup | Projected '10 Lineup

Winn rf |||||| Rowand cf

Renteria ss |||||| Sanchez 2b

Lewis lf |||||| Sandoval 3b

Molina c |||||| Huff 1b

Sandoval 3b |||||| DeRosa lf

Ishikawa1b |||||| Molina c

Rowand cf |||||| Schierholtz rf

Burriss 2b |||||| Renteria ss

(pitcher) |||||| (pitcher)