Free agent starting pitcher Ervin Santana will reportedly reject his qualifying offer from the Atlanta Braves and opt for free agency.
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Earlier reports suggested that Ervin Santana would most likely reject the Braves’ qualifying offer of $15.3 million, and according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, Santana intends to do just that at the deadline on Monday.
"Santana was always expected to reject the offer following a nice season in which he went 14-10 with a 3.95 ERA, though there was a bit of noise just before the offer was extended that he could possibly accept.Santana was one of the main free agents impacted last offseason by the qualifying offer, which was $14.1 million and extended by the Royals. Santana wound up signing in spring with Atlanta after the Braves suffered two injuries to pitchers in their starting rotation."
The Texas Rangers and Santana’s old team, the Kansas City Royals, have been linked with the right-hander. The Royals might be very interested in his services as most reports have them parting ways with James Shields. If they do, it’s unlikely they pursue another similar staff ace, instead opting to form a rotation of solid, second tier pitchers. Santana would fit that particular mold perfectly.
The Rangers are in a similar situation; not planning to pursue a top tier pitcher, but instead looking for that second tier to be plugged into the three spot in a rotation where Yu Darvish and Derek Holland should take the top two spots.
Santana went 14-10 with a 3.95 ERA for the Braves in 2014 and has generally pitched well in AL parks, having previously played for the Los Angeles Angels and Kansas City Royals. He posted the lowest ERA of his career with the Royals in 2013.
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