SAN DIEGO — Bengie Molina will be a free agent in a few weeks and wants to re-sign with the Giants. But if he indeed made his last start with the club Thursday, when he caught Tim Lincecum’s 15th victory, he’ll consider it a fitting final act.

“That would be an awesome finish to three great years,” Molina said. “It’s not necessarily the end because nobody knows what’s going to happen. Even they don’t know. But I tell you what, it’s been fun catching every single guy here. And if I come back, it’ll be even more fun.
“They are close to doing something special. I really hope to be here for it, but if not, I’ll move on.”
The Giants must decide whether to re-sign Molina, find another veteran catcher or entrust their valuable pitching staff to rookie Buster Posey, who will be evaluated in the Arizona Fall League.
GM Brian Sabean alluded to the importance of experience behind the plate when asked if Molina deserved credit for Lincecum’s development as one of the game’s foremost aces.
“He has to get his equal share, in addition to the pitching coaches and how (Manager Bruce) Bochy has handled these guys,” Sabean said. “Bengie has been a calming influence and he’s been around the block to the point that these pitchers trust him.”
Molina considers it an honor to have been Lincecum’s only regular catcher in his big league career.
“I cannot explain to you how much pride I take in catching, but that’s something right there,” Molina said. “Seeing him grow up as a pitcher, man, it’s an amazing feeling. And he’s going to get better, too.”
Molina, 35, wants a two-year contract and believes he deserves a raise from the $6 million he made this season. Even if market forces compel the Giants to offer two years, they’re likely to ask for a lower base because they’d anticipate Molina would catch fewer games as he moves into his late 30s.
—Left-hander Barry Zito felt so much better one day after a line drive struck his forearm that he played light catch. Right-hander Sergio Romo’s left knee remained stiff, though, and it’s doubtful he’d be available to pitch, Bochy said.