Reportedly, Ervin Santana is currently considering two offers: a one-year, $14 million dollar offer from the Toronto Blue Jays, and one from the Orioles that is said to be for slightly less (though perhaps bolstered by incentives). Not quite the payday Mr. Santana had in mind when entering into free agency this offseason after putting up some solid numbers in his short stint with the Kansas City Royals (9-10, a career low 3.24 ERA, 211 IP, & 1.142 WHIP).
Santana was originally reported to be seeking a $100 million dollar long-term contract at the very beginning of the free agency period, and it wasn’t until late February when Ervin finally came to his senses and lowered his asking price to four yrs/$50MM.
One by one, the free agent pitching market began to shrink with the Orioles signing Ubaldo Jimenez (4 yrs/$50MM), Matt Garza to the Brewers (4 yrs/$50MM), Bronson Arroyo to the Diamondbacks (2 yrs/$23.5MM), and AJ Burnett to the Phillies (1 yr/$16MM). Now Santana sits alone as one of the top free agent pitchers still remaining on the market with two (maybe three, per Jon Heyman) offers in his pocket.
Back when Santana was asking for 4 yrs/$50MM, there were some mixed feelings about whether or not the Orioles should pursue him, but now that Ervin is willing to accept a one-year deal, inking Santana could be what pushes the O’s to becoming a serious playoff contending team.
Think about it.
The Orioles already have one of the most dangerous lineups in MLB, and a starting five rotation (Chris Tillman, Jimenez, Wei-Yin Chen, Miguel Gonzalez, and Bud Norris/Kevin Gausman) that have the ability to keep the O’s in most games. Add to that an Ervin Santana with a chip on his shoulder, a guy who thought he had pitched well enough to cash in big this off-season, and all of the sudden the starting five looks like one that could stand up to most anyone.
We all know what contract years can do to elevate a player’s game – just look at what Nick Markakis did this offseason and the way he has come out of the gate in Sarasota. Even Zach Britton is trying to make it difficult for the club to part ways with him this spring.
Santana already believed that his performance last year was deserving of $100MM, multi-year contract. The fact that he didn’t get the payday he expected should only make him more determined to excel this upcoming season, something the Orioles could capitalize on.
Whether the Orioles’ window of opportunity is closing or not, signings like Ervin Santana are the type of acquisitions that can take a team to the next level. Not to mention with Santana surely taking up the third spot in the rotation it frees up guys like Gonzo, Chen, Norris, and Brian Matusz for possible trade deadline deals.
I think the Birds should go get Ervin Santana today. What do you think?
6 Responses
I, like you, am I die hard Orioles fan! I’m conflicted about this possible signing. Im scared of the amount of home runs Ervin Santanta gives up. But also his stats are better than Jimenez over the past few years. Keeping him away from a division rival could also be a huge value. I think In the end the Orioles needed not only to make a statement this offseason but a very strong one. Santana, Jimenez, Cruz… Thats a strong group to add to a contender. Would we then get draft pic compensation for both Cruz and Santana? First round? (If not protected)
P.s. as a avid O’s fan I just took great pleasure In referring to my team as a “contender” lol…
Most of everyone’s fears of Santana giving up too many home runs should be eased with Ervin implementing a sinker more heavily into his repertoire. That caused an increase in ground ball rate to 46.2%, and a decrease of 0.86 HR/9. Mind you that before last season Santana only threw his sinker about 5% of the time, so hopefully by staying on top of the ball he can continue to get batters to pound the ball into the dirt.
Those career low numbers, in my opinion had much to do with pitching in KC, imagine if he pitched at the Yard? We already have Home Run Hunter in the pen, we don’t need another one as a starter.
Of the 18 HRs Ervin Satana surrendered at Kauffman Stadium: 11 would have left all 30 ballparks, 4 would have left 25 or more, and 3 would have left 20 or less. The lowest being 13 stadiums. Comparing OPACY with Kauffman, both would allow 25 of the 26 HRs Santana surrendered. Therefore, pitching in KC had no effect on the Santana’s lower HR/9 ad can be attributed to the large increase in sinker usage.
I raise my hand here, I was wrong on that
Brian Cashman still thinks its an anomaly…yeah the anomaly is Buck