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2008 Molina's struggles with Anaheim over the first half of the season stretched even Mike Scioscia's tolerance for this good-field, no-hit catcher. The Yankees found that one team's trash is another's treasure given their lack of even a replacement-level backup for Jorge Posada. In other words, Mike Napoli is to Jose Molina as Jose Molina is to Wil Nieves. Molina even had a nice small-sample hot streak after arriving in New York. Re-signed to a two-year deal, Molina is an acceptable backup given the very limited population of quality reserves at his position. 2007 ?Viva el ?ltimo de los Molinas por los Angeles de Los Angeles! There can be only one! Jose is a decent enough reserve with some sock and an outstanding throwing arm. The pity of the matter is that his offensive skills only shadow instead of complement Napoli`s. That doesn`t make him any less useful as a backup backstop, of course. 2006 The most accomplished defensive catcher among the Flying Molinas (over the last two seasons, we have him pegged at 47 fielding runs above replacement despite just 111.5 adjusted games at the position), as a hitter he`s the Rey Ordonez of backstops. His glove makes him a worthwhile reserve, especially if used in tandem with a starter who can hit but might not be Mickey Cochrane behind the dish. 2005 At bat, both Molinas combined weren't as productive as Gregg Zaun was by himself. That's the value of getting on base; the difference from the best defensive catcher to the worst isn't nearly as wide as the gulf created when one player uses his plate appearances effectively and the other toasts them like marshmallows. The younger Molina is a poor fit to back up his bro, given their too-similar skill sets. 2003 My God, there are two of them. Jose has a little more pop than Ben, which is among the faintest praise you’ll read in this book. The Angels would be well served to go out and find a left-handed hitting catcher with some sock, just to bring off the bench and have a different option available. No, not Jorge Fabregas. 2002 Ben's little brother is a similar player to him, but not as good at the plate, and with a stronger arm behind it. Los Dos Molinas behind the dish is a neat trick, and there are bigger stiffs around the league in reserve spots. Jose will have to compete with Fabregas for a roster spot and is unlikely to win the battle.
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