Ervin Santana feels like a rookie in his first season for Kansas City Royals – MLB News
Kansas City Royals’ new starting pitcher Ervin Santana insisted that he feels like a rookie again for his first season with the team. The right hander was acquired from the Los Angeles Angels last week in an effort to rebuild the pitching rotation for the
next season.
Santana might be new but he is no rookie. He made his Major League Baseball debut in 2005 and played seven straight seasons for the Angels before getting an opportunity to move to the American League Central Division.
“This is a new team,” he said late Monday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium. “I have to get to know my teammates and know the manager and know everybody.”
He added, “I’m the new guy here.”
“The guy’s got ace-type stuff,” new team-mate Billy Butler said. “He’s probably got one of the top sliders I’ve ever faced in my big-league career… . He can really help us out if he can put it together next year.”
The source claimed that the Royals are paying $12 million to Santana next season. The team management believes that he can prove to be a reliable and durable Number one starting pitcher. However, there are risks the Royals must be aware of.
There have been speculations that his elbow injury has affected his velocity considerably in recent years. Moreover, he was unable to live up to expectations in 2012.
The Angels did not show any hesitation in trading Santana before the deadline to pick up their $13 million option for the next season. Plus, they have already paid the $1 million buyout to Santana, suggesting there is something more to this deal.
However, Santana said he is healthy and the Royals also poured through his medical records before confirming the deal.
“I’m healthy,” he said. “Everything is good and ready to go … . There was a little soreness (last season) but nothing major.”
The Royals will have to face the risks for one year at least as Santana will enter free agency at the end of 2013 regular season. If Santana does well in his first season with the Royals, he can be offered a contract extension.
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