This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Hot Stove: 12/7

Yet to see the day the Marlins don't make headlines for dishing out money, they offered over $200 million to yet another free agent. We also saw a major swap of young hurlers between to AL teams.

Record of the Day

Most games in a single season: Maury Wills, 165 (1962). 

In 1962, Maury Wills finished the scheduled season playing in every one of the Dodgers' 162 games.  The Dodgers had also matched the Giants record of 101-61 so a three game playoff was needed.  Today, we have one game playoffs, but back then, it was best of three.  Being one of the Dodgers' leading players, Wills played in each of the three playoff games, tallying his total to 165.  Five other players have played in 164 games in a season and the tally runs to 33 occasions that a player has played 163 games in a season. 

Find out what's happening in Oaktonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Free Agent Signings

Twins agreed to terms to bring back Matt Capps (4-7, 4.25 ERA, .262 BAA, 15 saves, 2012 age: 28) on a one year, $4.5 million deal. 

Find out what's happening in Oaktonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Dodgers signed Jerry Hairston (5 HR, 31 RBI, .270 AVG, 3 SB, 2012 age: 36) to a two year, $6 million deal ($3 million per season). 

Rays signed Juan Miranda (7 HR, 23 RBI, .213 AVG, 0 SB, 2012 age: 29) to a minor league deal. 

Jerry Hairston is now the third veteran middle infielder signed by the Dodgers this season.  To me, this doesn't make much sense.  I see the point in the first two (Mark Ellis and Adam Kennedy), but now three?  However unnecessary, Hairston is a capable utility man who can play almost anywhere in the field and provide at least some production at the plate.  He actually is a good fit for the Dodgers, but if they planned on signing Hairston, they should have laid off on Kennedy, in my opinion.  Kennedy is an infield only type player who won't give much production at the plate, however consistently mediocre.  Hairston is mediocre at the plate as well, but he adds the ability to play the outfield to his resumé.   Summed up, if they planned on Hairston, then Kennedy should not be there too.  On Hairston's career, out of 14 years in the major leagues, he was only an everyday player once, in 2001 with the Orioles.  He hit eight home runs and batted .233 with 29 stolen bases in 159 games that year.  He has been a utility man ever since, his best year coming in 2008 with the Reds, where he hit six home runs and batted .326 with 15 stolen bases in 80 games.  He had back to back 10 home run seasons in 2009 and 2010 despite lowering his batting average to .251 and .244.  His power dropped in 2011 with just five home runs, but he batted .270 and was a part of the Brewers playoff run.  Over his 14 year career, he has hit 64 home runs and batted .258 with 146 stolen bases in 1,268 games. 

Trades

White Sox traded Sergio Santos (4-5, 3.55 ERA, .181 BAA, 30 saves, 2012 age: 28-29) to the Blue Jays for minor leaguer Nestor Molina (12-3, 2.21 ERA, .234 BAA at High Class A and AA, 2012 age: 23). 

Twins traded Kevin Slowey (0-8, 6.67 ERA, .321 BAA, 2012 age: 28) to the Rockies for a player to be named later. 

Sergio Santos gives the Blue Jays a young closer to lead their bullpen.  Up until the trade, the top reliever in the Jays' bullpen was Casey Janssen.  Who's heard of him?  Exactly.  A converted infielder, Santos found new life at the back end of the White Sox bullpen.  The hard throwing righty was converted to a pitcher in 2009, where he was just 0-3 with an 8.16 ERA in 26 appearances across four levels.  Despite the questionable numbers in the minors, Santos pitched extremely well for the Sox in 2010.  In 56 appearances, he was 2-2 with a 2.96 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 51 2/3 innings.  Taking over as closer in 2011, he was 4-5 but with a 3.55 ERA, 30 saves, and an incredible .181 BAA and 92 K's in just 63 1/3 innings through 63 appearances.  Over his two year career, he is 6-7 with a 3.29 ERA, 31 saves, a .219 BAA, and 148 K's in 115 innings.  

Molina was also a converted infielder, though his conversion came back as an amateur.  He has seen nothing but success since signing with the White Sox in 2007 as an 18 year old amateur free agent.  He wowed in the Dominican Summer League, going 4-1 with an 0.94 ERA in 21 appearances over two seasons.  Upon moving to American affiliates, Nestor was 3-1 with a 1.67 ERA in 17 games (two starts) in the Gulf Coast League and at rookie level Auburn.  Moving up through the levels, he was 8-2 with a 3.11 ERA in 39 games (two starts) at Class A Lancaster and High Class A Dunedin in 2010.  He was converted to a starter last season, and took off with his best professional season.  In 26 games (23 starts), he was 12-3 with a 2.21 ERA for High Class A and AA New Hampshire.  At New Hampshire, he tossed 22 innings and gave up just one earned run for a 0.41 ERA.  Over his minor league career, he is 27-7 with a 2.21 ERA over 103 games (27 starts).  Pretty incredible. 

Other News

The Marlins offered Albert Pujols a ten year contract, possibly worth over $200 million.  We all must hope and pray that he doesn't sign there. 

-- 
Teams followed in this update: Boston Red Sox, Washington Nationals, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves

If your team is not included, please leave a comment.

HR: home runs.  RBI: runs batted in.  AVG: batting average.  SB: stolen bases.  ERA: earned run average.  BAA: batting average against.  K's: strikeouts. WPCT: winning percentage

Zack Silverman

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Oakton