Catcher

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SPOTLIGHT

Bengie Molina

Wondering how motivated Molina is to improve on his career year in '05? Consider his off-season: At 31 the Gold Glove catcher was discarded by the Angels and then largely ignored as a free agent because he misjudged the market. Finally, a week before pitchers and catchers were to report in February, the Blue Jays signed him to a one-year, $4.5 million deal. "It's behind me," Molina says of his winter. "This is a new challenge for me, and I'm going to give my heart." While his durability is a concern (2002 was the last season he played in more than 120 games), Molina has quietly emerged as one of the AL's most reliable run-producing catchers and is particularly dangerous against lefties (1.078 OPS in '05). Entering another walk year, Molina will be trying to top his .295 average, 15 homers and .336 OBP of last year.

DEEP SLEEPERS

MATT LECROY, Nationals The former Twins DH, who had 17 homers last season, is part of a backup platoon behind Brian Schneider and will be Washington's top righthanded pinch hitter.

RUSSELL MARTIN, Dodgers The best-hitting catcher developed by L.A. since Mike Piazza is solid defensively too. He'll be the starter in 2007, if not sooner.

JARROD SALTALAMACCHIA, Braves A 20-year-old switch-hitter with power (19 home runs and a .519 slugging percentage in Class A last year), he may have too potent a bat to keep in the minors.