Red Sox land Edward Mujica

The Boston Red Sox signed free agent closer Edward Mujica, to a 2-year contract that's worth $9.5 million. Mujica was signed by the Cleveland Indians as an undrafted free agent in 2001. He became one of their top pitching prospects and reached the majors in 2006. He played for the Indians until 2008. The Indians traded him to the San Diego Padres in April, 2009. The Padres had Mujica for two seasons. He then moved onto the Miami Marlins with pitcher Ryan Webb for centerfielder Cameron Maybin. Mujica stayed with the Marlins from 2011 until July 31,2012, when he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals at the time traded minor league prospect Zack Cox for Mujica. At the time of the deal, people wondered why the Cardinals gave up on Cox for Mujica. That was pretty much because of Mujica's numbers at the time the Cardinals traded for him. He had an era of 4.38 for the Marlins, and the Cardinals needed bullpen help. He would later become the Cardinals set-up man in 2012.

In 2013, the Cardinals lost closer Jason Motte for the season due to Tommy John surgery. After that happened, the Cardinals needed to find a closer. They first tried Mitchell Boggs as closer (who had been tried as a closer before, but it had failed). Boggs failed again trying to close games, and later lost control and was traded to the Colorado Rockies for an international signing bonus. Mujica ended up becoming the Cardinals closer for 2013. He did well in the closers role, with an era of 2.78 and getting 37 saves in his first time as a closer in the MLB. Mujica became an All-Star for the first time in his career and helped lead the Cardinals into the World Series.

Mujica has spent eight seasons in the MLB. Over that time for his career his stats are: 381 games played, 4 games started, 19 wins, 19 losses, 3.75 era, 350 strikeouts, 41 saves, and 439.1 innings pitched.

Without Mujica, who knows what the Cardinals would have done in 2013. He helped save the Cardinals when they needed someone to take a big role, and he did well. It should be a good signing for the Boston Red Sox. They can either use him as a closer or as a set-up man. Either way, the Red Sox improved their bullpen for 2014.

Do I wish the Cardinals could have kept Mujica? Yes, but it wasn't going to happen with Trevor Rosenthal becoming the closer for 2014, and Jason Motte coming back in 2014 after missing the 2013.  The Cardinals have other pitchers coming up through the minors who seem ready for the MLB. I'm glad Mujica found a team and got a pay raise. He earned it. I hope he does well for the Red Sox and that Red Sox fans come to like him.