Another starting pitcher has found a home.
Ervin Santana has agreed to a four-year, $55 million contract with the Minnesota Twins, according to multiple reports. The deal includes a $14 million option for a fifth year or a $1 million buyout, a source told FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.
Santana was one of the top free-agent starters available on the open market. While he might be a level below Max Scherzer, Jon Lester and James Shields, he undoubtedly will help stabilize the Twins’ rotation.
Santana, who turns 32 this month, has made at least 30 starts in seven of the last nine seasons. The right-hander is coming off a 2014 season with the Atlanta Braves in which he went 14-10 with a 3.95 ERA in 31 starts spanning 196 innings.
Santana was forced to accept a one-year contract in free agency last offseason, as the Kansas City Royals’ qualifying offer — and the draft pick attachment that comes with it — hurt his market to some extent. The Twins evidently weren’t concerned about relinquishing a draft pick to sign Santana this offseason, though, likely because their first-rounder is protected.
The fourth and final day of the Major League Baseball winter meetings in San Diego has been a busy one for starting pitchers. Rick Porcello, Mat Latos and Alfredo Simon are among the other starters to change teams Thursday.
Thumbnail photo via Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports Images
