ANGELS NOTEBOOK: MOLINA HAS CHANCE TO BE MONEY PLAYER.Byline: Doug Padilla Douglas ("Doug") Padilla (born October 4, 1956 in Oakland, California) is a former middle and long distance runner from the United States, who won the overall Grand Prix 1985 and the World Cup 5000m race in 1985. Staff Writer TEMPE, Ariz. - If financial incentive is the primary motivator, then Jose Molina stands the better chance of winning the starting catching position. After backing up his brother Bengie for all or part of the last five seasons, Jose Molina will get his opportunity this year when he battles rookie Jeff Mathis Jeffrey Stephen "Jeff" Mathis (born March 31, 1983 in Marianna, Florida, USA) is a major league baseball catcher playing with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and made his Major League debut on August 12, 2005 with them. He bats and throws right handed. for the starting spot. Looking at the contract Molina signed with the Angels last month, getting the bulk of the starts will have its advantages. Molina will make $850,000 this season and $1.25 million next season but a myriad of incentives make things interesting. Molina will get $25,000 in bonuses this season for starting 80, 95 and 110 games. There are also $25,000 bonuses for 250, 300 and 350 plate appearances. But the juiciest of the bonuses come where his 2007 contract is concerned. If Molina can play 105 games at catcher this season, his salary in 2007 will jump to $2.25 million, a full $1 million over what he is already guaranteed. ``Well, when my agent told me what it was, of course you have to think about it,'' Molina said. ``It's not like you can put it aside and forget about it. It's not every day you can make a million just for playing 100 games.'' The complete breakdown for Molina is that 65 games played Games played (most often abbreviated as G or GP) is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated (in any capacity); the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested. this season means $1.35 million next season; 75 games means $1.45 million; 85 games means $2 million; 105 games means $2.25 million; and 115 games means $2.5 million. Molina says he isn't sure if it was his agent, Alan Nero, or the Angels who came up with the creative incentive program, but he promises it won't be a distraction. ``My focus is on them giving me the chance to prove I can play every day,'' he said. ``If it happens that I go and play more than 100 games, I'll take it, but my goal is to stay healthy all year, play as much as they want me to play and just go from there.'' --In the past: It might have hurt at the time, but the Angels seem to be taking last season's defeat in the American League Championship Series
in good spirits . The most aggravating moment likely came when A.J. Pierzynski reached first base in Game 2 after a strikeout while Kelvim Escobar Kelvim Jose Escobar Bolivar [ess-coe-BAR] (born April 11, 1976 in La Guaira, Venezuela) is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who currently plays for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2004-present). He bats and throws right handed. was on the mound. Displayed above Escobar's Tempe locker is a Pierzynski baseball card. The pitcher figures it was put there by either Scot Shields Scot Shields (b. July 22, 1975, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida) is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, with whom he has spent his entire career, serving as their setup man since 2005. or Brendan Donnelly Brendan Kevin Donnelly (b. July 4, 1971 in Washington, D.C.) is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher with the Boston Red Sox. Donnelly had bounced around the minor leagues for 10 seasons after he was drafted in 1992 by the Chicago White Sox before he finally made his . He doesn't seem interested in taking it down, though. Escobar said he never was a fan of Pierzynski's. ``No way. (I've) never been since he played in Minnesota,'' Escobar said. --Intrasquad game: Escobar and John Lackey John Derran Lackey (born October 23, 1978, in Abilene, Texas) is a major league baseball starting pitcher from Abilene, Texas. He has played for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim his entire career. will start in the Angels' eight-inning intrasquad game Tuesday. J.C. Romero, Hector Carrasco, Esteban Yan, Chris Bootcheck, Joe Saunders and Scott Dunn also will see time. Doug Padilla, (626) 962-8811, ext. 2758 doug.padilla(at)sgvn.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Financial incentives in his contract could boost Angels catcher Jose Molina's salary. Roy Dabner/Associated Press |
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