[ayaghmour2]

It's been well documented. The Chicago Cougars are bad at one run games. Like really, really, really bad. I hope that's the going to change.

Because we got David Molina.

I've lost track of how many times I tried to trade for the Quincy native, but I finally got the once 2nd Round pick of the Detroit Dynamos. He didn't last too long, traded the following year with longtime teammate Al Duster (10-13, 4.45, 82) for longtime Sailor ace William Jones. Medina spent the next three season working up the minors before making the Sailors Opening Day roster in 1942. He just turned 23 and was ranked the 66th best prospect, but they didn't have room for him in the rotation. He made all 44 of his appearances as a rookie out of the pen, going 6-4 with 7 saves, a 2.52 ERA (130 ERA+), 1.48 WHIP, 40 walks, and 62 strikeouts. Unfortunately for Molina, the country was at war, and the Navy took him before he had a chance to establish himself as a big league starter. Even through high school, before his rookie year he never pitched out of the pen, and could have conceivably entered the rotation had he not been drafted.

Instead, it may have been the best thing to happen for him.

All that was left for the then 27-year-old was the stopper job, and it has been a role that looks very good on him. If you can look pass his 6-10, Molina was leaps and bounds the most valuable relief pitcher, appearing in a league high 80 games with an also high 27 saves. He had an impressive 3.10 ERA (117 ERA+) and 1.45 WHIP with 70 walks and 101 strikeouts. His 3.17 FIP (87 FIP-) supported the overall work and he finished an absurd 69 games.

And the most impressive part? He basically did it three more times!

He's led the league in saves, games, and game finished in the three years following. Each season he's had an ERA and FIP below 3.55, 79 or more appearances, and 115 or more innings. He's never struck out fewer then 14% of the batters he's faced and he's been worth 1.7 or more wins above replacement each time. In total, he's appeared in 367 games and thrown 562.1 innings. Molina has a pristine 3.14 ERA (122 ERA+) and 3.20 FIP (83 FIP-). He's struck out 422 hitters, good for a 17.4 K% and 1.3 K/BB. I like to think we have the best rotation in the game, and having someone as reliable as Molina may be the missing piece we need.

As an organization, the Cougars have never prioritized the bullpen. So much so that only one pitcher, Bill Mendine, has saved more then 20 games in a season. And one pitcher, Bill Mendine, has saved more then 60 games as a Cougar. If all goes well, Molina will do the first this year and the second in three years, as for once I have faith in our team late in the games. These winnable starts will be won.

The price we paid was large, but as long as we received what was advertised, it's well worth the price. I'm going to miss Johnny Peters, who we took 3rd Overall in 1945, but our outfield pitcher is crowded and this fills one of our biggest holes. Harry MacRae was decent this year, and he'll be joining Peters as well, but the underlying stats expected major regression and he's rather streaky. Finishing up the return are infielder prospects Cal Rice and Amos Peterson, who both rank outside the top 100 but inside the top 200. Rice was on the 40, so this deal actually nets us two open spots. We don't really need space, as we weren't near the limit yet, but you never know who could be available on waivers or through trade. I have most of the roster ready for next season, but that's not going to stop me from making another move if one materializes.