The Raul Chavez era may be at an end.
The Blue Jays signed free-agent catcher Jose Molina, formerly of the New York Yankees, to a one-year, $400,000 US non-guaranteed contract that climbs to $800,000 if he makes the opening day roster.
Molina will be competing with Chavez for the job of backing up John Buck.
Chavez started 51 games for the 75-win Jays in 2009, hitting .258 with two homers and 15 RBIs as the back-up to Rod Barajas.
Molina moves ahead of Chavez for his defensive abilities as manager Cito Gaston searches for a back up behind Buck. Molina hit .217 with one homer and 11 RBIs in 49 starts for the Yanks.
He's the middle of the three Molina brothers. His older brother Bengie, a former Blue Jay, is with the San Francisco Giants. Younger brother Yadier is an all-star with the St. Louis Cardinals.
