Ervin Santana’s asking price appears to be dropping. The free agent right-hander has lowered his expectations “significantly” and may be seeking a three-year deal, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney.
Santana is a potential target for many teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays. General manager Alex Anthopoulos said last week that pitchers such as Santana, Ubaldo Jimenez, Bronson Arroyo and A.J. Burnett “can all be a significant improvement” for the Blue Jays.
Early in the off-season, reports surfaced that Santana sought a deal worth more than $100 million. It now appears that Masahiro Tanaka will be the only free agent pitcher to reach that threshold this winter.
Santana and Jimenez are tied to draft pick compensation, which means teams must surrender a top pick to complete a deal with them. However, the Blue Jays’ two first round selections are protected, which means they’d only have to give up the 49th overall pick — their second rounder.
Many teams remain involved in the starting pitching market, which developed late this year, thanks in part to Tanaka. The Arizona Diamondbacks are considering free agents, and the Los Angeles Dodgers, Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners are among the teams that could seek additional arms.
Though the Blue Jays have been quiet to this point in the off-season, they are working to add to their pitching staff before opening day.
“We are very active and very involved in trying to bring in at least one more starter,” Anthopoulos said.
Santana, 31, posted a 3.24 ERA in 211 innings for the Kansas City Royals in 2013. He struck out 161, walking 51 and allowing 26 home runs while generating 2.9 wins above replacement.
