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Ervin Santana signs massive contract, gets suspended 80-games for PED use

By Kris Whelan

Mar 13, 2015; Bradenton, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Ervin Santana (54) pitches during the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2015; Bradenton, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Ervin Santana (54) pitches during the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ervin Santana has been given an 80 game suspension for PED use, despite the $55 million contract the Minnesota Twins gave him this offseason. 

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Ervin Santana, who signed a $55 million contract in December, will be missing 80 games after being found guilty of using the anabolic steroid Stanozolol. A lot of fans are rightly disgusted with the ban, as Santana is the starting pitcher and a highly paid free agent acquisition that the Twins doled out a lot of money to get.

Minnesota made Santana their highest paid gun for hire in the history of the franchise — which is where a lot of this venom for Santana is coming from.

The pitcher is maintaining his innocence, or at least his ignorance of the situation with a statement he relseased following the ban’s announcement.

"“I am frustrated that I can’t pinpoint how the substance in question entered my body. What I can guarantee is I never knowingly took anything illegal to enhance my performance. That’s just not me, never has been. I need to be more careful on what I consume in my home country. I will be more vigilant of medications I take so that I don’t commit another mistake. Having said that, I believe it is best to move forward and accept the punishment.”"

A lot of people are of the opinion that if Santana really believed he was innocent, he would appeal against such a lengthy ban.

I find it hilarious that so many players in baseball have gotten caught with this drug or that drug and no matter how long the ban is, there continues to be more offenders every season. “I didn’t know what I was taking” is not a valid excuse in 2015. You’re a professional athlete, a profession that wasn’t invented last week or anything so you should know what you can and can not do.

There’s dietitians, medic, nutritionists and god knows what else on offer for these people so they know excatly what’s on the ‘good list’ and what’s on the ‘naughty list’.

One thing is for certain, this is a crushing blow for the Minnesota Twins as Santana was supposed to be the white knight of the Twins’ season, but alas that will not be the case. The league has sent out a clear message with this ban, don’t use PED’s…even if it’s by accident Ervin. But if I know professional sports, this ban won’t make a difference to anyone else.

He could have been banned for life and some players would be stupid or greedy or ‘aambitious’ enough to continue taking banned substances. $54 million dollars well spent on a man that blames a vacation to his homeland for taking PEDs.

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