Giants sign Bengie Molina

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Dec. 6 (UPI) -- Free agent catcher Bengie Molina Wednesday reached a three-year deal with the San Francisco Giants.

The 32-year-old Molina, who is a two-time Gold Glove winner, played just one season for the Toronto Blue Jays.

He bolted after the Blue Jays opted not to pick up their signing option on Molina for the 2007 season.

His 2006 season included a career-high 19 homers and 57 RBI in 117 games.

Molina, who is considered one of the best defensive catchers in the majors, spent the first eight years of his career with the Angels.

He has played in 833 games and is a career .275 hitter with 84 homers and 419 RBI.

Over the last three seasons, he has committed a total of only eight errors and has a .994 lifetime fielding percentage.

"It's an important position," Giants General Manger Brian Sabean told MLB.com. "It gives us a comfort level."

Molina will replace Eliezer Alfonzo.