Of course, Chris Ray is just a depth bonus. Subtracting Molina is the real value to the Giants, and I have to say - begrudgingly - good job, Sabean.

PTBNL is Michael Main.

Hey, that's like an actual possible something there.

Pretty much an even move for the Rangers, though they probably lose a bit of upside from Max Ramirez if he was going to put it together. But the more I watch him play, the more I'm convinced the 2008 Max Ramirez is not walking through that door.

I don't like Molina though, just like everyone else.

Ray is completely fungible. He throws hard, but his stats thus far have been fluky and the Rangers have plenty of arms in the minors that can come up and stand to do better going forward.

The Braves once had a very similar trio of top catching prospects: Brian McCann, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Max Ramirez. I'm glad they chose McCann!

I have to say - begrudgingly - good job, Sabean.

Well, sure, but you know what would have been a better job? Not re-signing Molina's fat behind in the first place, and not allowing your field manager to indulge Molina's fat behind in 61 games and 221 plate appearances through the end of June.

This is only a good move in that it reverses the previous bad move. And nothing can erase the half-season of poor performance that Molina's fat behind has delivered.

Jeff Wilson says this about Molina in the Star-Telegram:

the veteran's power numbers have declined and his lack of speed is a liability. But he has nurtured one of the best pitching staffs in baseball

That nurturing intangible will mean that Daniels doesn't get much second-guessing, I imagine, even if the Ranger pitching heads south after the break. But what I love is "his lack of speed is a liability." That's like saying that the Titanic doesn't handle well in ice.

But what I love is "his lack of speed is a liability."

Fortunately, Molina mitigates his lack of speed on the bases by not getting on that much in the first place...

But what I love is "his lack of speed is a liability." That's like saying that the Titanic doesn't handle well in ice.

Yeah. Molina's lack of speed is, oh, so much more than a liability. It's a natural wonder.

The other night, Molina was up with a runner on third and two outs. Molina hits a slow, high chopper between third and short, that the shortstop is able to glove back-handed, way deep in the hole.

Now, a fast runner has an extremely good chance of beating out such a ball, and delivering an RBI single. Evan an average-speed runner will force the shortstop to really have to gun his throw; often such a play results in an errant throw.

But this is Molina. The shortstop gloved the ball, then stopped. He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket, and checked his email, then called his girlfriend, and then made show reservations. Then he put the cell phone back, and softly lobbed the ball to first, and got Molina by about 30 feet.

Fortunately, Molina mitigates his lack of speed on the bases by not getting on that much in the first place...

You'd think so, but while you were busy pondering, he ground into a double play.

But this is Molina. The shortstop gloved the ball, then stopped. He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket, and checked his email, then called his girlfriend, and then made show reservations. Then he put the cell phone back, and softly lobbed the ball to first, and got Molina by about 30 feet.

Please. No need for hyperbole. Yeah he called his girlfriend but only to remind her to make the reservations.

This deal does look worse now that it looks like Michael Main was given up. He's got a pretty good fastball, and has shown some promise.

But this is Molina. The shortstop gloved the ball, then stopped. He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket, and checked his email, then called his girlfriend, and then made show reservations. Then he put the cell phone back, and softly lobbed the ball to first, and got Molina by about 30 feet.

If the shortstop only got him by 30 feet, that means that Bengie at least bothered to leave the batter's box, which is more than you can say for his little brother Yadi.

looks like Michael Main was given up

It's an interesting test of the theory that you must evaluate a trade when it was made, not by its long-term results. The quantum distribution of possible careers for Michael Main (plus some innings from Ray) seem to be worth a good deal more than three certainly mediocre months of Bengie Molina. But Main is very young and we are a long way from knowing whether he'll even make the major leagues.

Today's Star-Telegram features Mike Scioscia praising Molina's savvy, which makes Ranger fans feel better because the Angels are in hot pursuit and we have a player their genius manager says he covets :) I am off to the Ballpark tonight to see Molina's first start, unless it rains ...

It's an interesting test of the theory that you must evaluate a trade when it was made, not by its long-term results. The quantum distribution of possible careers for Michael Main (plus some innings from Ray) seem to be worth a good deal more than three certainly mediocre months of Bengie Molina. But Main is very young and we are a long way from knowing whether he'll even make the major leagues.

It really doesn't matter what happens to Main or Ray; there's already the primary benefit to the Giants of losing Molina and starting Posey at C. Ray and Main are the bonus, and if they never play again, it's still good for the Giants. There's no scenario whereby Bengie Molina makes the Giants regret this trade. Even if he goes off in the second half, I'm going to attribute it to the Rangers' ballpark - Molina wouldn't have done that for the Giants.

Edit: #5 - Steve, no argument here.

Bengie just hit for the cycle (whose lack of speed is a liability now?).