There are now confirmed reports that the Chicago White Sox have traded bullpen ace Sergio Santos for minor league pitcher Nestor Molina.
The trade, which sends the de facto White Sox closer to the Toronto Blue Jays, occurred early Tuesday afternoon. According to White Sox GM Kenny Williams, the Santos trade is "the start of a rebuilding." Last year, the Sox finished with a 79-83 record, 16 games behind the Detroit Tigers.
Nestor Molina pitched a total of 130 and 1/3 innings with Toronto's High-A and Double-A affiliates. Primarily a starter at both levels, Molina managed a 2.58 ERA and 2.45 FIP in his time with the Dunedin Blue Jays (A+).
Dunedin plays in the Florida State League, a league particularly known for its offense, so Molina's 2.58 ERA is noteworthy, given the league's 3.94 average ERA. (The average ERA in the NL in 2011 was 3.81.)
In five combined minor league seasons, Molina has pitched 292 and 2/3 innings with a strong 2.21 ERA.
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