News
Giants explore bringing back Torrealba
Club looks into backstop in case Molina signs elsewhere
By Chris Haft / MLB.com
11/23/09 5:50 PM EST
SAN FRANCISCO -- Preparing for the possibility that they won't re-sign Bengie Molina, the Giants have contacted the representative for Yorvit Torrealba, another free-agent catcher.
Giants general manager Brian Sabean told MLB.com last week that the Giants wouldn't offer Molina, their regular catcher for the previous three seasons, more than a one-year contract, given 22-year-old Buster Posey's impending readiness for the Major Leagues. Sabean also reiterated his belief that at least one other team will offer Molina the multiyear contract he seeks.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday after Tim Lincecum was named the National League Cy Young Award winner, Sabean said, "We can't entertain something long-term [for Molina] because when Posey's ready, he's going to be the guy." That also would seem to apply to Torrealba, the 31-year-old former Giants backstop. But depending on how the catching market develops, Torrealba might be more likely than Molina to accept a one-year offer or one year plus an option for 2011. Torrealba rejected a two-year, $4.5 million offer from Colorado earlier this offseason. The Rockies also declined to pick up a $4 million option on his 2010 contract, which made him a free agent. Conceivably, if the Giants signed Torrealba, he would handle the bulk of the playing time until Posey developed sufficiently. Melvin Roman, Torrealba's agent, confirmed the Giants' interest."They called and asked about him," Roman said on Monday. "But as of right now, I have no other comment."
Torrealba is a "Type B" free agent, so though the Rockies will receive a "sandwich" pick in the Draft if another team signs him, the signing team won't lose one of its selections. Torrealba, who rose to the Major Leagues through the Giants organization, was a capable backup for San Francisco from 2001-05, batting .251 in 220 games with 13 home runs and 75 RBIs. He hit a career-high .291 in 64 games for Colorado last season, including .412 (14-for-34) against the Giants.Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
