The reviews of the Santos trade seem pretty uniformly positive. Some folks are worried about his walk rate (4.1/9) but Ozzie Guillen used the intentional walk more than most managers, 5 of Sergio's walks were intentional. I'd expect his control to be better with the Jays. And, since Sergio struck out 13.1/9, I think he'll be fine. It's worth noting that Sergio's FIP (2.87) and xFIP (2.69) were both better than his ERA (3.55).
Keith Law likes the Jays end of the deal:
This should take Toronto out of the market for free agent closers, most of whom end up overpaid thanks to the winner's curse and the short peaks of most relievers' careers.
Thank you Alex.
He's getting ahead with a mid-90s fastball but putting hitters away with a hard, extremely late-breaking slider that looks like it drops off a cliff at the last second. Santos threw 174 sliders in two-strike counts this year, according to Bloomberg Sports, and 57 percent of them resulted in strikeouts.
About Molina Law said:
Molina is a good prospect, probably the best now in a fallow White Sox system, but the return seems a little light for a major-league reliever signed to a very affordable three-year deal.
Richard Griffin, on the other hand:
He has just two seasons as a pitcher in the majors leagues and would be best served as the eighth inning option to an established major-league closer.
Oh good, the proven closer line. I am much happier with a younger, cheaper closer than spending millions on a older closer on the downhill side of his career.
ESPN said that Santos has the best slider in baseball.
Alex himself said "a top prospect like Molina would only be dealt for a player with similar years of control" and that "with Santos's stuff, years of control, fit with roster, (they have the) belief he can become lockdown guy in AL East".
But don't expect that just because the Jays didn't spend much on the closer that they will now be signing Fielder.