Major League Baseball

Rangers trade for Giants' Molina

Published Jun. 30, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

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The San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers have completed a trade to send veteran catcher Bengie Molina to Texas in exchange for relief pitcher Chris Ray and a Class A pitcher to be named, major-league sources told FOXSports.com.

The Associated Press confirmed the deal on Thursday.

Neither team's payroll will be affected by the deal. The Giants will continue to pay Molina's salary, and the Rangers will continue to pay Ray's.

The move will open up more playing time at catcher for rookie Buster Posey, regarded as the franchise’s future at the position. Posey, 23, had spent more time at first base than catcher this season.

Molina is hitting .257 with three home runs and 17 RBIs in 61 games this season, but Sabean credited him for working well with the staff and “allowing us to get Posey ready.”

The Giants might not be done trading. Sabean said Wednesday that the team would like to add left-handed hitters who are under control beyond the end of this season. Royals outfielder David DeJesus and Pirates outfielder/first baseman Garrett Jones are among the players who match that description. Sabean said the team's payroll is in "good shape," raising the possibility that the Giants could afford an in-season upgrade.

First baseman Travis Ishikawa could be the Giants’ internal, short-term fix. With Posey catching and Aubrey Huff in the outfield, Ishikawa could get more at-bats.

“We’re really right-handed,” Sabean said. “That’s not a good thing, because you face a lot of right-handed pitching. We’re going to have to be resourceful with how we play guys.

“We’re open to making some adjustments. The only thing is you kind of want to go with the group at hand.”
 

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