Updated: Ervin Santana looking for a one year deal

Sep 20, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Ervin Santana (54) delivers a pitch against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Scottsdale, Ariz – Erwin Santana remains on the market and is aiming to be signed very soon.  The Texas Rangers have been one of several teams interested in signing the 31 year old right handed pitcher.   Currently Santana is working out in Scottsdale, Arizona, which is close to the Texas Rangers and another 14 major league teams.

One year deal: It has been reported that Ervin Santana is looking for a contract that is around $50 million over four years, but recently it seems he is willing to settle for a one year deal.  No official word how much he is wanting for a single season, but I would expect that would be in the range of $12 – $14 million.  Santana made $13 million last year with the Kansas City Royals, $1 million of that was paid by the Los Angeles Angels.

Ervin Santana seems to be a bit frustrated with his current unemployment sitituation.  It was being reported today that his is changing agents.  He spent 15 years with Bean Stringfellow at the Proformance agency.  One thing that does seem certain is he’ll be signing with a team very soon.

Holding him back:  Santana is in the same situation that Nelson Cruz was in.  He is another player that turned down a qualifying and tested the open market.   At least he wasn’t part of the Biogenesis scandal like Cruz.  The issues with those players that turned down the qualifying offer, is they club that picks them up, will lose a top round draft pick.

That’s what happened in the case with Nelson Cruz.  At least for the Texas Rangers, if they pick up Ervin Santana, then the draft pick loss will be a wash because they will receive one from the Baltimore Orioles.  Now, the Orioles have picked up two players who received qualifying offers.

Another thing holding Santana back is his injury history.   In 2009, he suffered an injury to his elbow, which since then has occasionally caused him soreness and inflammation.   That injury also seems to lead to some pitchers having to have Tommy John surgery.  With the injury to his elbow, which was to his ulnar collateral ligament could be one of the biggest concerns for signing him to a long term contract.

Interested teams: The Orioles are one of the top teams that seems to be interested in Santana, but in my opinion, the Texas Rangers need to give him serious consideration.  They are currently auditioning several pitchers, Tommy Hanson, Joe Saunders, Daniel Bard and a few others to see who will be able to round out their starting rotation.  Also, the Toronto Blue Jays and the Colorado Rockies are two other teams that seem to be the most interested.

If Santana is willing to do a one year deal, and they can get him at a good price, then that should be a simple decision for Jon Daniels.  While there might be concerns about his injury history, so far they haven’t been a major issues.  Over the past 4 years, Santana has pitched in over 30 games/on average of 200 innings.  Which is a good sign he’ll be able to pitch well for the 2014 season.  In my opinion, Santana could be the on factor that stabilizes the current starting rotation.

Ervin Santana 2013 stats

• 32 games
• 211 innings
• 9-10 Record
• 3.24 ERA
• 161 strike outs

Updated: It is being reported that the Toronto Blue Jays are closing in on a deal.  But the Orioles also seem to be in the mix also at the moment.  It wouldn’t surprise me if a deal is announced today (March 8).