Sergio Santos Dealt: Chicago White Sox Make Logical Rebuilding Trade

Sergio Santos is no longer the Chicago White Sox closer, having been dealt to the Toronto Blue Jays for minor league pitcher Nestor Molina.

Kenny Williams is making it clear that he is rebuilding for the future and restocking a weak farm system.

"It is the start of a rebuilding," Williams told reporters.

Trading Santos might ring as disappointing, however, Williams did what he traded to rebuild. The trade added one more chip to the White Sox minor league system.

Molina is a fine prospect who posted a 12-3 record with a 2.21 ERA between Single-A Dunedin and Double-A New Hampshire.

What's more important is that he struck out 148 batters and walked 16; something that will serve the White Sox well.

Losing Santos Isn't a Bad Thing

Santos might have provided fine service for the White Sox last season; He did have a 3.35 ERA with 92 strikeouts, 29 walks and 30 saves, good for eighth in the American League. His 13.1 strikeouts per nine innings were spectacular.

Those are nice numbers, and hopefully for Santos he can duplicate them as he makes more money in Toronto.

While it's sad to see Santos leave the White Sox, they didn't need to pay him big money.

Closers are overvalued, interchangeable players, the save is an overvalued statistic and closers tend to burn out.

Tabbing a New Closer Won't Be Difficult

Finding a new closer won't be hard for the White Sox.

Addison Reed had a 3.68 ERA in the majors last year. He pitched 78.1 innings across all levels of the minor leagues in 2011, posting a 1.28 ERA, 111 strikeouts and 14 walks.

Reed has the stuff and the control to do the job.

Jesse Crain could be another candidate. He had a 2.62 ERA and a 2.26 strikeout-to-walk ratio last season. While he's never been a full-time closer, he's a good reliever who could fill the role.

Then again, Williams could settle upon Molina as the closer if no one else seems to fit.

Williams will find the man for the role that is the least worry for the team next year.