Kansas City Royals acquire Ervin Santana from Los Angeles Angels – MLB Update
Kansas City Royals failed to live up to the expectations last season. It seems the management has started to take care of the offseason to-do list. In an effort to strengthen their shaky pitching rotation, the Royals made their first move that involved acquiring
Ervin Santana from the Los Angeles Angels for Minor League relief pitcher Brandon Sisk.
Santana had a decent time on the mound last season as he struck-out 133 batters with a 1.27 WHIP. Although he occasionally struggled with the long ball, he finished the season on a strong note.
Santana has the ability to stay composed and focused in pressure situations. Perhaps, that is why the Royals want to add him to their pitching rotation. The right handed pitcher was an All Star in 2008. He then threw a no hitter in 2011. It will not be wrong
to say that Santana has improved his game play significantly over the last few years.
''We were able to scout Ervin during the entire year, specifically the second half,'' Royals’ general manager Dayton Moore said in a post game interview. ''His August and September were really good. From a statistical standpoint, he was very good.''
The Angels have paid the Royals $1 million as part of the deal. Earlier, Los Angeles exercised a $13 million option before trading Santana to the Royals. It will be interesting to see if Santana can put the pieces of the puzzle together to improve his win-loss
record in the next season.
According to sources, Royals have also declined an $8 million option on closer Joakim Soria’s contract and instead paid him a $750,000 buyout. Soria missed the entire last season due to an elbow ligament replacement surgery. Both the Angels and the Royals
are looking to work out a new contract with Soria, who has made 160 saves in five seasons.
Soria, who is a free agent now, will be looking to prove that he is fit enough to play the next season. Tampa Bay Rays also exercised their contract options on Wednesday, offering $9.5 million contract to starting pitcher James Shields and $1.5 million contract
to catcher Jose Molina.
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