Starting catcher and block of wood on the basepaths Bengie Molina, after testing free agent waters over the offseason, re-signed to a one year deal with the San Francisco Giants, reportedly at $4.5 million. 

Okay, on one hand, he’s a okay hitter.  That will help the lineup and benefit the team.  On the other hand, this signing means that future star Buster Posey will likely start the season in AAA.  Posey lit up the minors last season and might be ready for the jump to the majors.  However, he gets another season of minor league ball.  Perhaps he’ll benefit from a year of AAA ball in Fresno, being managed by former major league catcher Steve Decker.  I think they might have been able to get Molina for less than $4.5 million, too.  But, what’s done is done and such.  Eli Whiteside gets another season of backing up Molina.  I really would have liked to see Posey over the season, but they’re taking their time with him.   That’s alright.  Molina should NOT be in the same position in the lineup this season.  He needs to bat 6 or 7 in order to avoid clogging the basepaths.   All in all, not a horrible move, provided that they (and he) keep it in the proper perspective.  He’s just back for one more season (if that much). 

The San Francisco Giants filled their need for left handed power by landing free agent first baseman Aubrey Huff with a one year deal. 

Okay, this is a little more like it.  Huff’s signing shores up a run producing need in the lineup as he is a bonafide power threat and will fit nicely in the lineup in front of or behind Pablo Sandoval.  Huff is just two years removed from a .304- 32-108 season.  He strikes out remarkably little for a power hitter (never triple digits in any of ten seasons).  These are the good things.  However, he also slipped a bit last season (.241-15-85).  (he hit .189 for the Detroit Tigers in 40 games to close the season)  This might suggest the beginning of a decline.  Also, if they’re counting on his to play first base, last season (93 games) was the first time he had many reps at that position.  Other than that, throughout his career, he’s been predominantly a 3B/DH.  Also, does this push newly acquired Mark DeRosa to the outfield?  It appears so.  Another question is what is the effect on the development of young first baseman Travis Ishikawa.  I’d hate Huff to be this years Ryan Klesko and/or Rich Aurilia (aka a vet in decline who is a name and little else).  I know that the Giants got him on the cheap (reportedly $3 million).  If he’s looking like dead weight early on, perhaps they’d be better suited to cut him lose.  However, this might just be a great off-season move.  It shouldn’t take too many games to know for sure.   

Free agent lefty starter Randy Johnson announced his retirement on Tuesday, thus ending a 22 year career that will no doubt be re-visited in five years when he is enshrined in Cooperstown.  Johnson finishes with a record of 303-166, ranking second on the all-time strikeouts list with 4875. 

For the Giants, this means little.  He was great to have around last year and might have played a big role in the development of some of their younger pitchers (Jonathan Sanchez in particular).  However, he was a free agent and the team had moved on with decisions concerning their rotation. 

The impact of his career on Major League Baseball can’t be overstated.  Enjoy retirement, Randy.