This just in, as speculated for the last week or so, Jose Molina is now officially the Rays newest player. Molina was signed to a one-year deal with a club option. The $1.8 million deal will pay Molina $1.5 million in 2012, and includes a club option at the same price for the 2013 season, with a $300 thousand buyout.
Things have been interesting the last couple of days, with the news last night of the John Jaso trade to Seattle, and today’s news of the signing of Jose Molina. The question begs: with Molina, 36, behind the plate presumably for half of the time (he appeared in 55 games last year, and one would assume that he’ll appear in the 55-80 games range), who will be the second catcher?
Will the Rays pick up Shoppach’s contract on the cheap now that he’s a free agent? Will either Robinson Chirinos or Jose Lobaton get the call? In that case, who’ll get sent back to AAA Durham? In my opinion, I’d like to see Tampa Bay re-sign Shoppach and send Lobaton and Chirinos back to AAA until they show some noticeable progression, both at and behind the plate. More on this as it breaks.
I agree. I’d like to see Shop back too! I’m going to miss Jaso terribly (I don’t care that he had an off-year offensively and that he still needs to develop defensively. I liked him and his whacky batting stance.) Chirinos and Lobaton, while good, both still need to develop and aren’t quite ready to be our everyday starting catcher.