Orioles manager Buck Showalter wouldn't rule out the possibility of his team adding Ervin Santana to the fold when asked by Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com. Said Showalter: "I wouldn't say that and be completely sure that it's true." Kubatko has garnered that the Orioles were comfortable going into the three-year, $30MM range but weren't interested at Santana's asking price of four years, $50MM. More on the Orioles, who officially signed a different Santana (Johan) yesterday…
- Executive vice president Dan Duquette wouldn't commit to whether or not Johan Santana will be used as a starter or reliever if he's able to eventually take the mound, tweets Kubatko. Santana's contract contains incentives for games started, though reports yesterday indicated that they viewed him as a relief option as well. Duquette says Santana's ultimate role will be determined once the team sees how his velocity progresses. The two-time Cy Young winner topped out at 81 mph in his most recent workout, but he's very early in his throwing program at this point.
- The offer Jarrod Saltalamacchia received from the Red Sox this offseason was the lowest of the six or seven offers presented to him, the catcher told reporters, including the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo (Twitter link). The Boston Herald's Scott Lauber tweets that despite signing for a much lower average annual value, Saltalamacchia said he wouldn't have accepted a qualifying offer from the Red Sox, as he preferred multiyear security. The Globe's Matt Pepin has full quotes from Saltalamacchia, who said Boston's best offer was for two years, but "not a straight two-year deal," adding that there "were other things involved."
- Jon Lester told reporters, including WEEI.com's Rob Bradford, that there have been no recent developments in his contract talks with the Red Sox. Lester, who has made his desire to stay in Boston well known, said he prefer to let agents Seth and Sam Levinson of ACES and GM Ben Cherington worry about those matters.
- Andrew Astleford of FOX Sports Florida spoke with Rays non-roster invitee Erik Bedard about how he is adjusting to the new clubhouse and what it's like to come into camp looking for a job each year. Bedard says he didn't think back to his days with the Orioles when he faced them in his first Spring Training outing, because he doesn't know many of the players or coaches anymore. "Every team turns around every year. It's never the same. Nobody keeps the same guys anymore. They'll switch, trade, get released. Back in the day, everybody stayed."
Bedard sounds like he’s been desensitized since becoming a journeyman.
If Salty got the QO and rejected it, the Sox low-ball offer would likely have been the only offer he had gotten. I think most players want that long-term security but unless you’re a star or close to it, it’s very risky not to accept once offered.
At 3 years 30 million I would take Santana in a second… though if the price dropped that much I assume there would be multiple teams chasing after him.
Johan Santana, Ervin Santana, heck, why stop there O’s? Go sign Carlos Santana…well, to maybe play the National Anthem before a game.
Bedard always was a malcontent. He was always a talented pitcher, no knocking him there but, I was so glad when my Orioles traded him when he was due a big payday and instead of signing him to a long term and huge contract. Even if he hadn’t gotten hurt and was a healthy and still productive pitcher for them, the Orioles are MUCH better without him.
Yeah, back in the day, before Curt Flood, everybody stayed. What the heck is he talking about?
Bedard said five whole sentences. He must be maturing as he’s getting old.
“despite signing for a much lower average annual value, Saltalamacchia said he wouldn’t have accepted a qualifying offer from the Red Sox, as he preferred multiyear security”
I’ve been shouting this from the rooftops since people started ripping Drew and Santana for declining QO’s. Players aren’t turning these down because they think they deserve more than $14mil per year, they’re turning it down because they want some long term security with a team. The QO system needs revision. It’s actually HURTING mid-market teams in terms of being able to sign mid-level FA’s for long-term deals because they cannot afford to give up the draft pick, they depend on that kind of cost-controlled talent.
Just please tell me you aren’t shouting this from the rooftops before 8 am. I’d have a fit.