BBTF's Newsblog Discussion :: Royals acquire RHP Ervin Santana from Angels for minor-league lefty

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Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Royals acquire RHP Ervin Santana from Angels for minor-league lefty

The Angels have found a taker for Ervin Santana, and not surprisingly, it’s the Royals. The Angels will recieve left-hander Brandon Sisk and cash from the Royals.

Santana, 29, was 9-13 with a 5.16 ERA last season, leading the majors with 39 home runs allowed. However, a year ago he was 11-12 with a 3.38 ERA. The Angels held a $13-million option on Santana and as CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reported earlier this week, the team was hoping to trade Santana instead of just letting him go in free agency. Matt Snyder suggested the Royals as a potential landing spot for Santana or the Angels’ other option decision, fellow right-hander Dan Haren.

Kansas City needs starting pitching and the Royals didn’t seem to be in a position to lure free agents.

The transition to Kansas City should aid Santana, who will be 30 in December. The right-hander has a career record of 96-80 with a 4.33 ERA. While Kansas City is a good environment for pitchers, he’s just 3-2 with a 4.59 ERA in his career at Kauffman Stadium—and that was pitching against the Royals.

Thanks to Carl.

Repoz Posted: October 31, 2012 at 05:55 PM | 47 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: angels, royals

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1. Topher Posted: October 31, 2012 at 06:28 PM (#4289573)

For a team as desperate as the Royals are for pitching, these seems like a good move. But I'm really having trouble getting past the 3-2 record and 4.59 ERA at Kauffman Stadium.

I give the Angels a B grade for the trade. Sisk is probably nothing but he's essentially free considering they were otherwise going to let Santana go.

The Royals get a D grade for not using sabermetric principles to realize that Santana is a poor fit for Kauffman Stadium.

2. aberg Posted: October 31, 2012 at 06:35 PM (#4289583)

The Royals get a D grade for not using sabermetric principles to realize that Santana is a poor fit for Kauffman Stadium.

A slightly high ERA in a handful of road starts is a sabermetric principle?

3. Mike Webber Posted: October 31, 2012 at 06:38 PM (#4289587)

Santana's biggest issue is home run rate, which kc should help, not hurt. It might be a poor trade but not because of the park fit.

4. Ray (CTL)

Posted: October 31, 2012 at 06:44 PM (#4289591)

A slightly high ERA in a handful of road starts is a sabermetric principle?

Yes, but the principle hasn't been identified yet.

5. RB in NYC (Now Semi-Retired from BBTF) Posted: October 31, 2012 at 06:52 PM (#4289596)

Yes, but the principle hasn't been identified yet.

Of course it has. That's "Topher's Law"

6. Der-K's enjoying the new boygenius album. Posted: October 31, 2012 at 07:12 PM (#4289608)

Yay for Sisk - I've been rooting for him since he was in indy ball. Good minor league numbers, okay stuff (FB that tops 90, CU, SL), think he can be a second lefty in a pen.

7. Topher Posted: October 31, 2012 at 07:20 PM (#4289618)

I might have been having a bit of fun with the excerpt.

Besides, all the Royals would need to know is that he is 3-2 at Kauffman. He's a winner!

8. Zach Posted: October 31, 2012 at 07:36 PM (#4289629)

The Royals need to fill two or even three rotation spots this winter, without spending too much money and without committing so far into the future that they start blocking people.

Within those constraints, this looks like a good trade. The strikeout and walk numbers are in line with the rest of his career, so hopefully he can get a handle on the homeruns.

9. Greg K Posted: October 31, 2012 at 07:51 PM (#4289640)

We need an "Off Topic" thread for MLB transactions.

The Jays have re-signed Rajai Davis. Somewhere my dad is punching a hole in a wall.

10. Gch Posted: October 31, 2012 at 08:46 PM (#4289663)

The Jays have re-signed Rajai Davis. Somewhere my dad is punching a hole in a wall.

If my nephew wasn't sorting Halloween candy on the floor in front of me, I'd be cursing up a storm. I was so looking forward to Rajai Davis playing elsewhere, preferably on the Rockies or some team where I'd never see him again. I just hope he never hits in front of Bautista again.

I have no idea what to make of the report on the resigning. The Jays had a 3 million dollar option on Davis. They declined it, paying a 500K buyout. They then signed him to a 2.5 million dollar contract. Why bother?

11. tonywagner Posted: October 31, 2012 at 08:53 PM (#4289666)

We need an "Off Topic" thread for MLB transactions.

People don't come to this site to read about MLB transactions. Take it to the Lounge already!

12. JimMusComp misses old primer... Posted: October 31, 2012 at 08:59 PM (#4289669)

#10. That's hilarious!!!

13. Darren

Posted: October 31, 2012 at 09:02 PM (#4289670)

Does this mean that they are not going to deal Haren? Causes that would give me a sad.

14. tonywagner Posted: October 31, 2012 at 09:44 PM (#4289689)

There's no way they deal Haren now, right? I mean, the way folks have been talking about dealing both Santana and Haren, you'd think the Angels were stacked with starters, but all they have beyond them is Weaver and Wilson (since Greinke is a free agent). Unless I am missing something...?

15. Crispix Attacksel Rios Posted: October 31, 2012 at 09:47 PM (#4289692)

Looks like Octavio Dotel will have to wait to join his 14th team, because the Tigers exercised his option.

Dallas Braden refused minor league assignment and became a free agent. Next season he may be defending his mound against trespassers while playing for the Chico Outlaws.

Rangers declined Scott Feldman's option. Other new FAs and Royals rotation candidates include Francisco Liriano, Joe Saunders, Jeff Francis, Carlos Zambrano, Joe Blanton, Carl Pavano, Carlos Villanueva, Shaun Marcum, Andy Pettitte, and Zack Greinke.

16. RJ in TO Posted: October 31, 2012 at 09:57 PM (#4289697)

People don't come to this site to read about MLB transactions. Take it to the Lounge already!

For the record, we hate the Rajai Davis signing there too.

17. Mike Emeigh

Posted: October 31, 2012 at 10:06 PM (#4289700)

Does this mean that they are not going to deal Haren?

Not at all. There have been multiple reports that suggest that the Angels were willing to part with both pitchers.

-- MWE

18. I Am Not a Number Posted: October 31, 2012 at 10:08 PM (#4289702)

I have no idea what to make of the report on the resigning. The Jays had a 3 million dollar option on Davis. They declined it, paying a 500K buyout. They then signed him to a 2.5 million dollar contract. Why bother?

I think the distinction is this. Had the Jays picked up the 3MM option, it would have been guaranteed. The 2.5MM contract, however, is not. If Davis is cut, he receives only 1/6 of the amount.

I think the optimal solution was paying the 500K buyout and being done with him, but the organization seems unduly fascinated by the man. You steal a few bases and all other sins are forgiven.

19. Davo Posted: October 31, 2012 at 10:19 PM (#4289711)

People don't come to this site to read about MLB transactions. Take it to the Lounge already!

For the record, we hate the Rajai Davis signing there too.

But we love the Royals adding another 4th starter.

20. Bote Man Posted: October 31, 2012 at 10:20 PM (#4289712)

I want the Angels to get Carlton Fisk out of retirement so that we could see the Sisk-Fisk battery at least once.

21. Darren

Posted: October 31, 2012 at 10:45 PM (#4289722)

But why? Haren's good. He's on a 1/15 deal. Why not stick with that?

22. Fred Lynn Nolan Ryan Sweeney Agonistes Posted: October 31, 2012 at 10:55 PM (#4289723)

Dallas Braden refused minor league assignment and became a free agent. Next season he may be defending his mound against trespassers while playing for the Chico Outlaws.

Who are now the San Rafael Pacifics.
Jeez, get your head out of the spreadsheets and go see an indy-league game once in awhile.

23. Walt Davis Posted: November 01, 2012 at 12:46 AM (#4289747)

Alas, Fisk and Doug Sisk were never teammates. Neither were Fisk and Zisk nor Zisk and Sisk.

24. Walt Davis Posted: November 01, 2012 at 12:48 AM (#4289748)

And surely the Royals aren't sending cash to the Angels for this one are they? The buyout was $1 M and I would guess the Angels are sending that or less to the Royals.

25. rlc Posted: November 01, 2012 at 01:55 AM (#4289759)

Alas, Fisk and Doug Sisk were never teammates. Neither were Fisk and Zisk nor Zisk and Sisk.

tsk tsk

26. tonywagner Posted: November 01, 2012 at 08:42 AM (#4289841)

And surely the Royals aren't sending cash to the Angels for this one are they? The buyout was $1 M and I would guess the Angels are sending that or less to the Royals.

Yeah, I think the excerpt has it backwards. I have heard the Angels sending ~$1 million with Santana, so the Royals effectively have him on a 1/12 deal.

27. tonywagner Posted: November 01, 2012 at 08:43 AM (#4289842)

But why? Haren's good. He's on a 1/15 deal. Why not stick with that?

This is my thinking too. Anybody know what the Angels rotation plans would be, if they indeed lost both Haren and Santana? Even if they resigned Greinke, I only count three viable starters for them...

28. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: November 01, 2012 at 08:55 AM (#4289850)

But why? Haren's good. He's on a 1/15 deal. Why not stick with that?

That's my opinion, too.

But the argument for dumping Haren is that not only was he poor in 2012, he was poor because his stuff was poor. He's lost 2-3 mph off his fastball from his peak, now working only in the high 80s. There are reports that his decline was a function of a lingering back injury. Based on his record of production, Haren projects as a good candidate to bounce back, but the Angels may think the decline in his velocity is here to stay, and that he's likely to be ineffective next year, too.

I'd like to see the Sox take a flier on him. That's the sort of risk that a club with their money and marginal playoff chance should be looking to take. (Obviously the combination of back problems and Red Sox medical staff is scary, but all players are injury risks.)

29. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: November 01, 2012 at 09:05 AM (#4289855)

And surely the Royals aren't sending cash to the Angels for this one are they? The buyout was $1 M and I would guess the Angels are sending that or less to the Royals.

In the presser, Dayton said the Royals are getting some cash, although KC is paying the "majority" of Santana's contract. I imagine they're just getting the one million.

But I'm really having trouble getting past the 3-2 record and 4.59 ERA at Kauffman Stadium.

Ridiculously small sample size aside, wouldn't that be better than any starter they have currently?

But why? Haren's good. He's on a 1/15 deal. Why not stick with that?

I'm guessing something is wrong with his back. Otherwise there doesn't seem to be a good reason to get rid of him.

30. JJ1986 Posted: November 01, 2012 at 09:13 AM (#4289858)

This is my thinking too. Anybody know what the Angels rotation plans would be, if they indeed lost both Haren and Santana? Even if they resigned Greinke, I only count three viable starters for them...

They're probably content with Garrett Richards as a fifth starter, but they'd definitely need to add one more guy.

31. JimMusComp misses old primer... Posted: November 01, 2012 at 09:18 AM (#4289859)

Agree with MCOA regarding Haren. His stuff was very hittable this year. Lower velocity and injury concerns make $15 million seem like a lot for a flier on a guy who might not bounce back.

The rest of the rotation is sketchy. Weaver, Wilson, Greinke (hopefully) and then Garret Richards, Jeroime Williams and MAYBE Brad Mills?!?

Nick Maronde is waiting in the wings. Beyond that, profit?

I was a strong believer in keeping Haren and Santana with fingers crossed for 2013. This team is built for right now and taking a $30 gamble on two potential #2 starters seems like a reasonable chance for a team with a window that will quickly close based on pitching.

32. Shooty would run in but these bone spurs hurt!

Posted: November 01, 2012 at 09:20 AM (#4289860)

They're probably content with Garrett Richards as a fifth starter, but they'd definitely need to add one more guy.

Who's the most expensive guy available? There ya go.

Picking up Santana seems like a nice move for the Royals.

33. JJ1986 Posted: November 01, 2012 at 09:24 AM (#4289864)

Who's the most expensive guy available? There ya go.

I like Kyle Lohse for them.

34. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: November 01, 2012 at 09:32 AM (#4289867)

The rest of the rotation is sketchy. Weaver, Wilson, Greinke (hopefully) and then Garret Richards, Jeroime Williams and MAYBE Brad Mills?!?

I was going to say Ariel Pena, but they traded him, didn't they?

35. JimMusComp misses old primer... Posted: November 01, 2012 at 09:34 AM (#4289870)

Yeah, Pena is gone - from the Greinke deal.

36. JimMusComp misses old primer... Posted: November 01, 2012 at 10:16 AM (#4289902)

Also, who do the Angels get on one year deals that are a better bet than Haren/Santana? I don't see it. Unless the trade market and the Angels don't have the minor leaguers to swing anything anymore.

37. JJ1986 Posted: November 01, 2012 at 10:21 AM (#4289910)

Unless the trade market and the Angels don't have the minor leaguers to swing anything anymore.

Their system is running on empty, but they do have Peter Bourjos to trade.

38. People like Zonk and Chris Truby Posted: November 01, 2012 at 10:41 AM (#4289935)

Rangers declined Scott Feldman's option. Other new FAs and Royals rotation candidates include Francisco Liriano, Joe Saunders, Jeff Francis, Carlos Zambrano, Joe Blanton, Carl Pavano, Carlos Villanueva, Shaun Marcum, Andy Pettitte, and Zack Greinke.

If that isn't a list of pitchers that equates to a big, tempting, cool glass of salt water to a man dying of dehydration, I don't know what is... Other than Greinke, it's like the perfect list of guys you sign to affordable one year deals in an OOTP game, end up waiving most by the end of May, trading the rest but one by July, and get a nifty comp pick for the remainder.

39. Crispix Attacksel Rios Posted: November 01, 2012 at 10:44 AM (#4289942)

There's a few better pitchers available. I was trying to list some that would actually be Royals rotation candidates. Then added Greinke because who knows, he might go back there. And Pettitte for no reason.

40. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: November 01, 2012 at 11:00 AM (#4289963)

The Royals have already ruled out Greinke and it doesn't sound like they are in on any top guys. There was a report a few weeks ago that they really like Villanueva, Lohse, and Anibal Sanchez. A KC columnist today also floated the possibility of an Aaron Crow for Rick Porcello deal, although I don't know if that was a rumor or complete speculation. My guess is they spent so much money on Santana, that it rules out Lohse (thank god) or Sanchez (shucks), and they'll probably get a guy like Villaneuva or Saunders instead.

41. Fernigal McGunnigle Posted: November 01, 2012 at 11:41 AM (#4290014)

Alas, Fisk and Doug Sisk were never teammates. Neither were Fisk and Zisk nor Zisk and Sisk.

Fisk was 0-1 in his career against Doug Sisk.

42. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: November 01, 2012 at 12:15 PM (#4290050)

Fisk was 0-1 in his career against Doug Sisk.

I wonder if that game was in front of former Angels and Royals broadcaster Al Wisk.

43. Jose is an Absurd Sultan Posted: November 01, 2012 at 12:36 PM (#4290074)

Alas, Fisk and Doug Sisk were never teammates. Neither were Fisk and Zisk nor Zisk and Sisk.

Too bad. Maybe an All Star Game where Sisk induced Fisk to fly to Zisk? There might be some risk in that matchup.

44. BDC

Posted: November 01, 2012 at 12:39 PM (#4290079)

Rangers declined Scott Feldman's option

The option was for $9.25M, which is such a preposterous figure for Feldman that I mentally replaced his name with "Colby Lewis" when I read the story in yesterday's paper. Feldman was the right man in the right place to sign a big contract in the 2009/10 offseason, for sure.

Meanwhile Lewis, who broke in with the Rangers three years before Feldman did, is astonishingly still under their control, having not had all that much ML service time in the past decade. His total career line is not a heck of a lot different from Feldman's (a little bit better, and much better in the postseason), but he's earned not quite half of what Feldman's earned in the majors – one hopes they paid Lewis well in Japan.

45. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: November 01, 2012 at 12:55 PM (#4290108)

Meanwhile Lewis, who broke in with the Rangers three years before Feldman did, is astonishingly still under their control

Lewis was scheduled to be a free agent this winter, but signed a one year $2 mill extension a few months ago.

46. BDC

Posted: November 01, 2012 at 02:19 PM (#4290194)

Ah, I stand corrected on Lewis's status. Hope he returns from his injuries. He is a mensch, at least in pitching terms.

47. Walt Davis Posted: November 01, 2012 at 04:35 PM (#4290305)

I wonder what this says about what Sanchez/Jackson/Lohse are going to get. One-year contracts on pitchers are always nice and, when you're KC, picking up players who have no choice but to play for you is helpful, but by performance Santana is a step down from that bunch (thanks to his 2012). And he's got the worst peripherals of the bunch too. If Santana at $12 M plus a player is actually a good pickup, those guys must be looking at $15 M per ... or the Royals just don't think they could get any of them to come to KC for less than $15 M per.

EDIT: Not that you should ever use Datyon Moore as an indicator of rational market behavior.

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Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Royals acquire RHP Ervin Santana from Angels for minor-league lefty

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