Cubs Legend Dies, Marlins Add Bat: Hot Stove 1/26

News

Cubs legend Ernie Banks passed away at 83 years old.

Reds signed Devin Mesoraco to a four year, $28 million deal to buy out his arbitration years.

The Giant designated Marco Scutaro for assignment as his future hangs in limbo after back surgery.

Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks, passed away at 83 years old on Friday, eight days shy of his 84th birthday. For 19 years, Banks established himself as one of the greatest shortstops of all time, one of the greatest leaders of all time, and the game’s greatest ambassador. Despite setting a major league record by playing 2528 major league games without appearing in the postseason even once, Mr. Cub never complained, instead living by his catch phrase, “Let’s play two”. It’s safe to say Banks will never be forgotten.

Ernie Banks grew up in Dallas, the second of twelve children. Being a multi-sport star who lettered in basketball, football, and track and even played for the Harlem Globetrotters, Banks’ father actually had to bribe his son to play catch with him. Eventually, Banks fell in love with the game. He signed with the Kansas City Monarchs, the same team which Jackie Robinson, Satchel Paige, and Willard Brown had played for, but was drafted into the Korean War. When he returned in 1953, he played for the Monarchs, batting .347. He was sold to the Cubs at the end of the season, and on September 17th, 1953, not only did he make his major league debut, but he also became the first black player in Chicago Cubs history. Three days later, Gene Baker made his major league debut for the Cubs, and on September 22nd, Banks and Baker formed the first all-black double play combination in major league histroy. Banks impressed the Cubs in his ten game cup of coffee, as the 22 year old hit .314 with a pair of home runs and six RBI. Jackie Robinson noted that Banks was never one to try and change the world; he simply loved to play baseball and was grateful for the opportunity. In 1954, Ernie Banks got the chance to play his first full season, and he did not disappoint, batting .275 with 19 home runs and 79 RBI. In 1955, he followed up with a huge breakout season, batting .295 with 44 home runs, 117 RBI, and 98 runs scored. The 44 home runs set a major league record for the most by a shortstop in one season, and Banks played in his first All Star Game. His numbers dropped a little in 1956, but he set a career high with a .297 average while homering 28 times and driving in 85. Banks’ power returned in 1957, when he hit .285 with 43 home runs and 102 RBI, setting career highs with 113 runs scored, 34 doubles, and a .360 on-base percentage. In 1958, Banks proved that he could still in fact improve, and he obliterated National League pitching by batting .313 with 47 home runs, 129 RBI, and 119 runs scored. His 617 at bats, 119 runs scored, 193 hits, 11 triples, 47 home runs, .313 average, .614 slugging percentage, and .980 OPS would remain career highs for his entire career. He also lad all of the majors in home runs and RBI, and was rewarded with the 1958 NL MVP Award despite his Cubs finishing just 72-82 and in fifth place. He returned just as strong in 1959, batting .304 with 45 home runs, 143 RBI, and 97 runs scored. That year, his 143 RBI and his .374 on-base percentage would both remain career highs, and he led the majors in RBI. Despite the Cubs finishing just 74-80, Banks again won the NL MVP Award, becoming the first player in NL history to win back-to-back MVP’s. His power spree continued into 1960, when he batted .271 with 41 home runs, 117 RBI, and 94 runs scored. However, he was done winning MVP’s. After the season, he was awarded with his only Gold Glove. 1961 was a bit of a disappointment after his four straight 40 home runs seasons from 1957-1960, as he finished with just 29 home runs, 80 RBI, and a .278 average. Also during the season, he was removed from shortstop and put in left field, and subsequently moved to first base. In 1962, Banks’ power returned and he finished with 37 home runs, 104 RBI, and a .269 average. 1963 was a massive disappointment, as the 32 year old Banks battled the mumps and finished with just a .227 average, 18 home runs, and 64 RBI in 130 games. The mumps also limited his offseason workout regimen, and though healthy, he returned slightly out of shape in 1964. Over 157 games, he managed to bat .264 with 23 home runs and 95 RBI. While playing in a career-high 163 games in 1965, his numbers returned closer to normal, as he finished with a .265 average, 28 home runs, and 106 RBI. Though his batting average climbed a little in 1966, the 35 year old hit just 15 home runs to go along with his .272 average, his highest since 1961. In 1967, though he was 36 years old, he returned for one of his best seasons in years, as he finished with a .276 average, 23 home runs, and 95 RBI. His power returned in 1968, but his average plummeted as every ball he hit seemed to be caught. He finished with 32 home runs, 83 RBI, and a .246 average. His .246 average and .287 on-base percentage were both the lowest of his career. In 1969, the 38 year old had his final big season, batting .253 with 23 home runs and 106 RBI. His 101 strikeouts also set a career high. He appeared in just 72 games in 1970, batting .252 with 12 home runs and 44 RBI. His season was highlighted on May 12th, when he hit his 500th career home run. In 1971, he played his final 39 games, batting just .193 with three home runs. He never played in the postseason.

To date, Banks is easily the greatest player in Cubs history. He is the all time team leader in games played (2528), at bats (9421), total bases (4706), and extra base hits (1009). He is also second in hits (2583) and RBI (1636) to Cap Anson, as well as second to Sammy Sosa in home runs (512). He is one of only 26 members of the 500 home run club.

Free Agent Signings

Marlins signed Ichiro Suzuki (1 HR, 22 RBI, .284 AVG, 15 SB, 2015 age: 41) to a one year, $2 million deal.

Giants resigned Ryan Vogelsong (8-13, 4.00 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 2015 age: 37-38) to a one year, $4 million deal.

Nationals signed Evan Meek (0-4, 5.79 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 2015 age: 32) to a minor league deal.

Braves signed Jonny Gomes (6 HR, 37 RBI, .234 AVG, 0 SB, 2015 age: 34) to a one year, $4 million deal.

Mariners resigned Endy Chavez (2 HR, 23 RBI, .276 AVG, 5 SB, 2015 age: 37) to a minor league deal.

White Sox resigned Scott Carroll (5-10, 4.80 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 2015 age: 30) to a minor league deal.

White Sox signed Geovany Soto (1 HR, 11 RBI, .250 AVG, 0 SB, 2015 age: 32) to a minor league deal.

White Sox signed Jesse Crain (missed 2014, 45-30 career record, 3.05 ERA, 2015 age: 33-34) to a minor league deal.

White Sox signed Brad Penny (2-1, 6.58 ERA, 1.81 WHIP, 2015 age: 37) to a minor league deal.

Brewers signed Dontrelle Willis (missed 2014, 72-69 career record, 4.17 ERA, 2015 age: 33) to a minor league deal.

Mariners signed to Shawn O’Malley (0 HR, 1 RBI, .188 AVG, 2 SB, 2015 age: 27) to a minor league deal.

The Marlins have now added the biggest-name fourth outfielder in baseball. The Hall of Fame bound Ichiro Suzuki will take his talents to South Beach, but he will have to back up Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich, and Marcell Ozuna in a crowded Miami outfield. Suzuki still has an excellent arm and a knack for getting on base, though his power has disappeared in recent years and a move to the spacious Marlins Park won’t help that. He did bat .284 with 15 stolen bases in 143 games as a part time player for the Yankees. His best season came in 2004, when he batted .372 with eight home runs and 36 stolen bases in 161 games, setting a single season record with 262 hits. For his career, Ichiro has a .317 average with 112 home runs, 717 RBI, and 487 stolen bases. He is only 156 hits shy of 3000, but he hasn’t had that many in a season since he had 178 in 2012. He is also 13 stolen bases shy of 500 and 15 triples shy of 100. He will spend the entire 2015 season at the age of 41.

The Nationals made another low risk signing in Evan Meek. The 31 year old former All Star has pitched poorly out of the bullpen over the past few seasons, but the Nationals are hoping he can bounce back with a solid 2015. The Washington State native had his best year in 2010, when he went 5-4 with a 2.14 ERA, and a 1.05 WHIP over 70 appearances for the Pirates. He got both lefties and righties out, but he’s gradually become less effective since then. Meek put up a 3.48 ERA in 2011, but was limited to twelve appearances in 2012 and he spent all of 2013 in the minors. He struggled in 23 appearances for the Orioles in 2014, going 0-4 with a 5.79 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP. His walks have been climbing, so if he wants to make the major league squad, he will have to regain command of his pitches. Meek was much more effective in the minors last year, putting up a 1.94 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP in 39 appearances for AAA Norfolk, converting all 16 of his save chances. For his career, the right hander is 7-11 with a 3.63 ERA, a 1.36 WHIP, and four saves (all in 2010) over 179 appearances.

Trades

Astros traded Carlos Corporan (6 HR, 19 RBI, .235 AVG, 0 SB, 2015 age: 31) to the Rangers for minor leaguer Akeem Bostick (5-6, 5.17 ERA, 1.36 WHIP at Class A, 2015 age: 20).

Yankees traded Gonzalez Germen (0-0, 4.75 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 2015 age: 27) to the Rangers for cash considerations.

Waiver Claims

Cubs claimed Gonzalez Germen (0-0, 4.75 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 2015 age: 27) off waivers from the Rangers.

Braves claimed Eury Perez (0 HR, 0 RBI, .200 AVG, 1 SB, 2015 age: 25) off waivers from the Yankees.

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Teams followed in this update: Washington Nationals, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers

If your team is not included, please email me and I will add them.
HR: home runs. RBI: runs batted in. AVG: batting average. SB: stolen bases. ERA: earned run average. WHIP: walks/hits per innings pitched. K’s: strikeouts. WPCT: winning percentage
Zack Silverman