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Royals Rumors: Ervin Santana signing is low-risk, high-reward

By Leigh Oleszczak

BALTIMORE, MD - APRIL 24: Ervin Santana #54 of the Chicago White Sox pitches against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 24, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - APRIL 24: Ervin Santana #54 of the Chicago White Sox pitches against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 24, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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Royals rumors consist of the team signing Ervin Santana to a minor league deal.

Dayton Moore continues to make moves for the Kansas City Royals and the latest is bringing in old friend Ervin Santana on a minor league deal. He has a chance to make $1.5 million if he makes the big league roster.

Santana, 38, didn’t pitch in 2020 and spent the 2019 season with the White Sox, where he struggled greatly. He finished the season with an ERA over nine and pitched just 13.1 innings. His last respectable season was in 2017 where he made the All-Star Game after throwing 211.1 innings and posting a 3.28 ERA with the Twins.

Santana spent the 2013 season with the Royals and did well. He had a 3.24 ERA through 211 innings of work and was one of their best pitchers that season. It was a bummer that the team was never able to bring him back, especially during his good years.

Signing Ervin Santana cost the Royals very little and if he pans out, they could benefit greatly from it.

Santana might not be the pitcher he was three years ago with the Twins, but if the Royals can get anything out of him, then this signing is a win for the organization. The Royals have shown they aren’t afraid of bringing in pitchers on the decline and in this case, if Santana isn’t good in Spring Training, they can simply part ways with him. No harm done.

The Royals rumors have been constant this offseason, proving that Moore believes this team can compete in 2021. He’s giving them more talent and while Santana coming in might not be as exciting as it would have been a few years ago, he might still have something in the tank or at least can mentor the younger guys.

It does seem tough for Santana to make it into this Royals rotation, as they have Brad Keller, Brady Singer, Kris Bubic, and Danny Duffy while also recently signing Mike Minor to the roster as well. If Minor ends up being a bullpen arm and none of the young guys impress in Spring Training, that could be the best way Santana makes the big league roster.

Next. Best Free Agent Signings Under Dayton Moore. dark

It’ll be interesting to see what comes of this for both the Kansas City Royals and Ervin Santana. Even if it doesn’t turn into much, it’s good to have Santana back in a Royals uniform.

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