Sergio Santos Returns to the Blue Jays For Nestor Molina

[Jaypers]

Blue Jays Acquire Sergio Santos
By Tim Dierkes [December 6, 2011 at 11:46am CST]

The Blue Jays acquired reliever Sergio Santos from the White Sox for righty prospect Nestor Molina, announced the team.

In Santos, 28, the Jays found their closer on the trade market. The converted infielder posted a 3.55 ERA, 13.1 K/9, 4.1 BB/9, 0.85 HR/9, and 43% groundball rate in 63 1/3 innings for the White Sox this year, saving 30 games in 36 tries. He was formerly a shortstop in Toronto's minor league system from 2006-08. It was surprising to see Santos dealt, as there had been no rumors and he signed a three-year, $8.25MM deal with the Sox in September. The contract includes three club options, so the Blue Jays have cost certainty on Santos potentially through 2017.

Molina, 22, posted a 2.21 ERA, 10.2 K/9, 1.1 BB/9, and 0.6 HR/9 in 130 1/3 innings across High and Double-A this year. Molina is a converted infielder himself, and appears close to MLB-ready. Though Molina was not among the Blue Jays' top 30 prospects in Baseball America's handbook before the season, his stock presumably rose with his excellent 2011.

 

[longbomberz]

Molina looks to be a good prospect but Santos had proven he could pitch in the bigs and was on a really club friendly contract.

 

[Huffamaniac]

Who closes for Chicago?

 

[longbomberz]

They might give Addison Reed a shot. They still have Thornton too and as bad as he was last year I could see them trying him again if he is still with them this spring.

 

[braden]

Very torn about this.

Thrilled to get Santos (back, ha!). The biggest plus is his contract. I'd much, much, much rather Santos on his deal over any of the free agent closers.

Also happy that they're shoring up the 'pen. The Jays are close enough that an elite(ish) reliever is a must-have over the next couple of years.

What pains me is dealing Molina. He's one of my favourite Jays prospects. Funny enough, he's a lot like Santos. Converted infielder (though at a much earlier age). I had him very high on my personal top 40, behind only Hutchison for pitchers. I know some publications don't rave about him but I think he has a very legitimate shot at starting and being a #3.

That said, I'm always on board with dealing from strength and pitching prospects are something Toronto has in abundance. Knowing the attrition rate, I rarely have a problem with this type of deal. Just would have rather it been almost anyone else.

So, pleased with the trade but hate to see Molina go and wish him very well with the White Sox.

 

[aarne13]

Wow. I'm really sad to see Molina go but the Jays get a closer with a team friendly deal. The Jays certainly have a logjam pitching-wise so I guess it makes sense. I'm sure Molina will be in the majors this season.

 

[mrwhitesox30]

I had never heard of Nestor Molina before today, but Santos seemed like the real deal. It's hard enough to find a solid closer, yet alone one with a team-friendly contract. One of the reasons the White Sox struggled in the early part of the year was closing, so it seems silly to trade away the best one on the team.

 

[JustinVerlander35]

Who the hell his left in the Sox bullpen? They are even in talks about trading Thornton next.

 

[SouthSideSluggers]

White Sox trade Sergio Santos to Blue Jays for Nestor Molina

As per the ESPN Chicago, the White Sox just traded closer Sergio Santos to the Blue Jays for SP Nestor Molina...not sure about Molina, any prospectors or Jays fans with an update or opinion on the trade? From a Sox fan's point of view, I don't know who is going to close for us this year with Thorton being shopped as well, but Santos came to us cheaply so trading a back end arm for a #2 or #3 starter in the future isn't too bad.

 

[Jaypers]

Re: White Sox trade Sergio Santos to Blue Jays for Nestor Molina

Look a few threads down.

 

[SouthSideSluggers]

Re: White Sox trade Sergio Santos to Blue Jays for Nestor Molina

missed it as the site was taking a long time to load...

 

[19braves77]

Re: White Sox trade Sergio Santos to Blue Jays for Nestor Molina

Don't understand why this is being spun as a rebuilding act by the White Sox.

 

[braden]

Re: White Sox trade Sergio Santos to Blue Jays for Nestor Molina

Don't understand why this is being spun as a rebuilding act by the White Sox.

I imagine it's because the guy who made the trade said this is "the start of a rebuilding".

 

[19braves77]

Re: White Sox trade Sergio Santos to Blue Jays for Nestor Molina

Don't understand why this is being spun as a rebuilding act by the White Sox.

I imagine it's because the guy who made the trade said this is "the start of a rebuilding".

I don't get how Santos and his team friendly 1 million 2012 contract kick starts rebuilding ? Rebuilding would be getting something for Jake Peavy.

 

[longbomberz]

It implies rebuilding in terms this being the start of trading established major league players for prospects, not that this single trade is rebuilding.