Bengie Molina accepts coaching position with Cardinals

Former Major League catcher Bengie Molina has accepted the St. Louis Cardinals offer to become their assistant hitting coach. If the name Molina sounds familiar to any baseball fans out there, he's the oldest brother Tampa Bay Rays catcher Jose Molina, and St. Louis Cardinals All-Star catcher Yadier Molina. Bengie is 38-years old and retired during the 2011 season, after not being signed by any teams in free agency.

Molina played in the MLB for thirteen seasons during his career, he was signed as an amateur free agent in 1993 by the California Angels (also known as the Anaheim Angels, and now the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim). He played in the MLB from 1998-2010. He won a World Series as a member of the 2002 Anaheim Angels, and also got Word Series ring as a member of the 2010 San Francisco Giants, even though he was traded to the Texas Rangers during the season (any player traded or released still gets a ring from a team if they win the World Series, both teams met in the 2010 World Series). Molina played for the Angels from 1998-2005, then would sign a one-year deal (worth $5million) with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2006. After 2006, he would hit free agency again and ended up signing with the San Francisco Giants for three years worth $16 million. He was then re-signed by the Giants to a one-year deal for the 2010 season, worth $4.5 million. During the 2010 season, rookie catcher Buster Posey pushed Molina out of a starting job, and would end up being traded to the Texas Rangers for relief pitcher Chris Ray and a player to be named later, which ended up being minor league pitcher Michael Main. Molina would then retire during the 2011 season, after not being signed as a free agent by any teams. For Molina's career he finished with a career batting average of 274, 144 home runs, 711 rbi's, and 1,317 career hits.

His best season came in 2008 while on the Giants, hitting 292, with 16 home runs, and 95 rbi's (his most rbi's in a season during his career). It was Bengie's younger brother Yadier who suggested that Bengie might be open to a return, when Cardinals manager Mike Matheny was discussing candidates for a vacant spot on the coaching staff, after hitting coach Mark McGwire left to become the Los Angeles Dodgers hitting coach. And then former assistant hitting coach, John Mabry became the Cardinals hitting coach. So, that left a spot open on Matheny's coaching staff.

Yadier would end up calling up his oldest brother Bengie, and asking him if he's interested in a coaching job. At the time Bengie was planning to take one more season for before trying to go into coaching, and he thought that he'd start out as a catching instructor, maybe in the minors, a bench coach, or as a bullpen coach. Bengie never thought that he would become an assistant hitting coach for his first time as a coach in baseball. An interesting fact is that both Yadier and Bengie took over as starting catchers for manager Mike Matheny, during Matheny's career in the MLB.

Will Bengie Molina do a good job as assistant hitting coach for the Cardinals? We'll find out soon. I know that Mark McGwire ended up praising assistant hitting coach John Mabry for his work he did under him. Bengie also thinks that he could see himself as a future pitching coach later during his coaching career.

Nick Swisher lands with his hometown team

The Cleveland Indians and free agent outfield Nick Swisher have agreed to a four-year deal, worth $56 million, it includes an option for a fifth year worth $14 million. So, Swisher's deal could turn out to be a total of $70 million. Swisher comes to the Indians as free agent from the New York Yankees, and won a World Series title with the Yankees in 2009. He also was on the 2010 American League All-Star team. Swisher was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 2002 Major League Baseball draft, he was picked in the first round at 16th overall out of Ohio State. He was born in Columbus, Ohio. His dad Steve Swisher is a former MLB catcher who played for the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, and the San Diego Padres from 1974-1982.

Other than playing for the Athletics and the Yankees, Nick has played for the Chicago White Sox only for one season in 2008, he was then traded to the New York Yankees after the 2008 season. Swisher plays right field, but he can also play some first base. During the 2012 season Swisher hit 272 with 24 home runs, and 93 rbi's (his second highest numbers in rbi's for his MLB career, his most were in 2006 when he had 95 rbi's). He might have been overpaid by the Indians, but then again the Indians are trying to improve their team. So, it's a good move for the Cleveland Indians after trading right fielder Shin-Soo Choo to the Cincinnati Reds. Pretty much, Swisher's power will make up for Choo's power lost in the Indians starting line-up. Swisher has been in the majors since 2004, so far his career stats are: batting average 256, 209 home runs, 673 rbi's, and 1,085 hits. Again, I like the signing by the Indians, even though they may have overpaid for him. Then again lots of free agents get overpaid on the free agent market. Hopefully he can help the Indians improve, and get them back to being a winning baseball team.  

I like what Nick Swisher said on his Twitter account, when he signed with the Cleveland Indians, here's what he said to try to get their fans excited: "Wow! What a crazy few weeks," Swisher said. "Hey Cleveland! Are you ready? Because I'm coming home!"

Cubs land free agent starting pitcher Edwin Jackson

The Chicago Cubs have landed an innings eater in free agency, that would be starting pitcher Edwin Jackson, after agreeing to a four-year deal, worth $52 million. The Cubs will be Jackson's eighth MLB team in ten seasons. After bouncing from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tampa Bay Rays, Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago White Sox, St Louis Cardinals, and in 2012 the Washington Nationals.  In his career his record is 70-71, with an era of 4.40 and 969 k's, with 497 walks and 1268.2 innings pitched. Jackson also threw a 1-0 no hitter against the Tampa Bay Rays on June 25,2010 as a member of the Diamondbacks. In that game, he threw 149 pitches. Jackson also made the American League 2009 All-Star team as a member of the Detroit Tigers. He would later win a World Series in 2011, coming in a three way deal between to the Cardinals, that included the Chicago White Sox, and the Toronto Blue Jays.

Last season after signing a one-year deal with the Washington Nationals, he would make 31 starts with a record of 10-11, 4.03 era, 189.2 innings, one complete game, 168 k's, and 58 walks. Will Jackson improve the Chicago Cubs pitching staff? Maybe, if he can improve. But, the signing helps the Cardinals out a lot also, since they own Edwin Jackson in his career. So, if I were the Cubs, I'd try not to start him against the Cardinals, even though their a division rival. There's a big risk the Cubs could lose, if they start him against the Cardinals, unless he's able to figure out how to beat the Cardinals. As of right now, I'd say it's an ok signing by the Cubs, even though they may have overpaid for him, by looking at his overall record in his career. And there's a reason he's been bouncing around from team to team, even though lots of teams like his arm. Then again, maybe he could finally put it all together on the Cubs. After all, Jackson has shown flashes of being good in his career.

Cardinals land free agent Ty Wigginton

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed well traveled utility player Ty Wigginton to a two year deal, worth $5 million. Wigginton over the years has played for seven teams, the Cardinals will be his eighth team. Wigginton was drafted by the New York Mets in the 1998 MLB draft, he went in the 17th round, overall pick no.514. Wigginton played for New York Mets from 2002-2004, before being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in July of 04. He played for the Pirates from 2004-2005. In 2006 Wigginton signed a one year deal with the Tampa Bay Rays, and played for them from 2006-2007, after being re-signed by the Rays to a three year deal. He was later traded to the Houston Astros during the 2007 season, and played for the Astros from 07-2008.

After the 2008 season, he became a free agent again and signed a two year deal with the Baltimore Orioles, and played for them from 2009-2010. Wigginton started the 2010 season on the Orioles without a starting job, he would later end up finding his way into their line up and ended up in the All-Star game for his first time in his MLB career, he batted 248 with 22 home runs, and 76 rbi's He later would end up played for the Colorado Rockies, and the Philadelphia Phillies. His highest home run total came back in 2006 as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays, in that season he would hit 275, with 24 home runs, and 79 rbi's (his most rbi's in a season.

What does Wigginton bring to the Cardinals? He brings a right-handed bat off the bench with power for the Cardinals which is something they needed. Wigginton as of now is best at first base, but he can also play third base, a little second base (even though he hasn't play second base since 2010 as a member of the Orioles), left field, and right field. He's also played nine games at shortstop, even though he's never started a game in the MLB level at shortstop. Last season he had to play third base for the Phillies, when their starting third basemen Placido Polanco got injured. So, the Cardinals shouldn't need to over use him at third base, if he does see some time there, due to have Matt Carpenter also, if David Freese needs some days off.

The Cardinals will also use Wigginton to pinch hit also, his career numbers as a pinch hitter aren't great. Can he improve at pinch hitting? That will be the question on him heading into the season. Maybe hitting coach John Mabry and assistant hitting coach Bengie Molina will be able to work with him on pinch hitting, and he could get better as a pinch hitter. After all it seems like players once they become Cardinals, become better pinch hitters. And for his career Wigginton is a career 263 hitter. Wigginton is also said to be a good clubhouse guy, so that should be a plus. Another note to add about Wigginton, the past seven seasons he's hit more than 10 home runs. Wigginton's best batting average came in 2008 as a member of the Astros, when he hit 285, with 23 home runs and 58 rbi's. He's also good at getting on base over his career.

Oh yeah, I wonder if when the Cardinals face the Astros in 2013 if Wigginton gets any boos down in Houston, he was a fan favorite on the Astros and Astros fans got upset when the Astros failed to re-sign him after the 2008 season. If Astros fans do boo him, then they will have fun booing two former fan favorites of theirs in Carlos Beltran and Ty Wigginton.

Rams finding life under Jeff Fisher

Who would have thought what a real NFL head coach can do for a young football team, that is trying to get back to winning and finding an identity? Maybe other NFL teams should try to take a page out of the Rams book? Back when the Rams hired Jeff Fisher, he wanted to bring in players to build an identity for the team. Scott Linehan, Jim Haslett, and Steve Spagnuolo weren't able to do that. The Rams locked like they were going to do well under Linehan, after his first season, when the team finished 500 at 8-8 in 2006. He later went down hill, and players on the team were upset with him. Linehan ended up being fired during the 2008 season, after starting 0-4. He finished his head coaching record with the Rams at 11-25.

After Linehan was fired, then Jim Haslett who use to coach one of the Rams former rivals in the New Orleans Saints, became interim head coach for the rest of the season. Haslett joined Linehan's staff as his defensive coordinator in 2006. Haslett finished the season in 08 after taking over for Linehan at 2-10. The Rams then began another search for a head coach. They talked to Haslett among others, like current Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett. Haslett said his plan if he were to remain as head coach, was that he wanted to bring Mike Martz back to run the offense. The Rams also talked to then Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, and Rams fans got word that Jason Garrett was in town visiting Rams park. 

On that night, Rams fans flooded the ticket office saying not to hire Garrett. They ended up hiring Steve Spagnuolo. Spagnuolo was said to be a hot commodity in the coaches who were rumored to be NFL head coaches in the future. Did Spagnuolo jump the gun to early? Maybe he did, who knows. But, before he even took the Rams head coaching job, the offseason before the Redskins tried to get him away from the New York Giants. Spagnuolo told them no. Spagnuolo went 1-15 in his first year as head coach, then 7-9, and then in 011 2-14. Spagnuolo was fired after the season, he finished with a record of 10-38.

So, new owner Stan Kroenke at the time went on a new search. This time the Rams were looking into both proven NFL head coaches and a few coordinators. Stan ended up reaching out for Jeff Fisher and was able to get him, when the Miami Dolphins wanted him also. Fisher had been a longtime head coach for the Tennessee Titans, he also was able to lead the to the 1999 Super Bowl, only to lose to the St. Louis Rams. He was able to work under one of the worst owners in the league, and one who didn't like the spend money and wanted lots of things done his way.

The Rams also were on a new general manager search, they ended up hiring Les Snead. At the time Snead was the Atlanta Falcons general manager's right hand man for their drafts. He took some people from the Falcons front office to work under him, after he got hired. During free agency in March the Rams made a some big free agent signings: CB Cortland Finnegan, LB Jo-Lon Dunbar, DT Kendell Langford, and center Scott Wells. They also signed some small name free agents, like center/guard Robert Turner would be one name. Pretty much all of the Rams players who they got in free agency and their draft have helped the team, even though WR Brian Quick seems like he's going to be brought along slow, before getting a bigger role.

Right now a lot because of Jeff Fisher and the Rams defense, their 6-6-1. They have three games left to play. Can they win out and make a wild card spot? I don't think so, but it would be awesome to see. I'm just glad that the Rams finally have life again. If I had to pick the biggest pick up on offense for the Rams draft, it would be WR Chris Givens and on defense it's a tie between DT Michael Brockers and CB Janoris Jenkins.

The Rams are also playing their best defense since 2006, even though they still need to work on the offense, at least they have a defense in the making. As of now heading into the offseason, if I were the Rams, I'd lock up Danny Amendola to a long-term deal, try to keep Williams Hayes, Robert Turner, and Rocky McIntosh. And if they were able to somehow keep Steven Jackson around, Jackson is a leader on the offense and on the team. Maybe try to see if Jackson would be willing to accept three years, and then after three years if he's still healthy and running well see where he is after that. Jackson has said that he wants to retire a Ram, and wants to help them get back to being a winning team. He's also a leader in the community.

Looking into the offseason, pretty much the Rams need to work on their defense a little more upgrade at FS and SS, and find another starting linebacker. Then pretty much work on offense, and on the offensive line, Scott Wells has been a big help for the offensive line, at least Wells is a start. And if guard Rokevious Watkins gets back healthy during training camp, he could help out the o-line. In all, even if the Rams don't make the playoffs I'm happy with the season in Jeff Fisher's first year as their head coach. Another odd thing is, that the coaches all get long with each other, unlike coaches who were on Linehan's and Spagnuolo's staffs.