By The Associated Press

TORONTO – Gold Glove catcher Bengie Molina and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed Monday to a $5 million, one-year contract.

Molina will receive a $1.5 million signing bonus and a $3 million salary this year under the agreement, and the deal contains a $7.5 million mutual option for 2007 with a $500,000 buyout.

Molina spent his first eight years with the Los Angeles Angels and hit a career-best .295 last season with 15 homers and 69 RBIs. He won Gold Glove Awards in 2002 and 2003.

Rockies give Hurdle, O’Dowd extenstions

DENVER – Colorado Rockies manager Clint Hurdle and general manager Dan O’Dowd agreed Monday to one-year contract extensions through the 2007 season.

Hurdle took over as manager in April 2002 and O’Dowd became general manager in September 1999.

“We believe in the development process of our organization,” Rockies president Keli McGregor said. “This is a reflection of that, and speaks to the importance of stability.”

Colorado was 67-95 last year, matching Pittsburgh for the worst record in the NL. The Rockies have finished .500 or better just once since 1997, going 82-80 in 2000.