Molina Likes His Chances in ‘05: Slim and Fun

A week and a half into spring training, Angel catcher Bengie Molina is already feeling significant benefits of his weight loss.

“I can tell a big difference,” said Molina, who reported at 217 pounds, down from the 240 he weighed in 2004. “I feel more rested, stronger, I’m moving behind the plate better. I just feel better overall.”

Molina, who was limited to 97 games last season by hamstring problems and a broken finger, is not promising 20 stolen bases, but he expects to be more effective behind the plate and on the basepaths.

“Last year, I was always careful with my hamstrings, I didn’t want to get hurt,” said Molina, who hit .276 with 10 home runs and 54 runs batted in. “Now, I trust my legs. I’m not saying I’m going to be fast, but I will be a step better.”

There was plenty of incentive for Molina to slim down. He’s entering the final year of a contract that will pay him $3 million this season, and the Angels have a hot catching prospect in Jeff Mathis, whose defensive skills appear big league-ready but who still needs some offensive seasoning.

Molina, though, said his motivation came from within, not from the external forces threatening his future with the team.

“I wasn’t thinking about my contract, I was thinking about doing my job better,” said Molina, a two-time Gold Glove winner. “I want to feel good behind the plate, I want to feel healthy. There’s nothing better than waking up and not thinking, ‘I feel bad today.’ I want to catch 140 games, if they let me.”

Molina said he did not go on a specific diet. He just eliminated certain foods, changed his eating patterns and worked out diligently. In addition to weightlifting, Molina did four cardiovascular workouts a day, including one at 8 p.m., “and when I say every day, I mean seven days a week,” he said. The most important change: Molina did not eat after his evening workout.

“People don’t know that I worked out hard last year too, but I didn’t eat right,” Molina said. “I thought I was doing everything right, but I guess I wasn’t. I found out the right way to do it, and it paid off.”

No. 3 catcher Josh Paul has noticed a difference in Molina. “His feet are quick, he’s moving around better.” Paul said. What does Paul think of Molina’s goal of catching 140 games?

“That’s really going to hurt my playing time, but I’d like to see him do it,” Paul said. “He’s the heart and soul of our defense, and our pitchers trust him. That’s big.”

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Juan Rivera finally joined his new teammates for workouts Saturday after experiencing delays in securing a visa in his native Venezuela. The 26-year-old, acquired from the Washington Nationals in the Jose Guillen trade last November, joins a crowd of candidates competing for at-bats in the outfield and at designated hitter.

Rivera and Jeff DaVanon will be the primary outfield reserves and will share time at DH with infielder Robb Quinlan. Second baseman Chone Figgins could be thrown into the reserve outfield and DH mix when Adam Kennedy returns from knee surgery in late May or June.

“There will be a lot of competition for at-bats,” Manager Mike Scioscia said.

Rivera is more of a corner outfielder, and DaVanon’s superior range is more suited to center, but Rivera, who has a strong and accurate arm, played center the final two months last season and in the Venezuelan winter league.

“I’m very comfortable there,” Rivera said. “I feel I can play there every day.”

Rivera hit .307 with 12 homers and 49 RBIs last season and was more productive after moving into Montreal’s starting lineup for good -- he hit .367 (65 for 177) with six homers and 23 RBIs in August and September.

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Scioscia said Cuban defector Kendry Morales remained “in a holding pattern” Saturday, the 21-year-old switch-hitter’s trip from the Dominican Republic to the U.S. delayed while he awaits final approval of his application for Dominican citizenship.