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MLB Trade Rumors: 5 waiver deadline players who could get moved

By John Buhler

May 3, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) at Tropicana Field. Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 10-5. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) at Tropicana Field. Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 10-5. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ervin Santana
May 14, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Ervin Santana (54) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

2. . RHP. Minnesota Twins. Ervin Santana. 3. player

In the hours leading up to the 2016 MLB trade deadline, it seemed like a sure thing that the Toronto Blue Jays were going to land the Minnesota Twins right-handed starting pitcher Ervin Santana. After the 4 PM ET deadline, Santana remains in Minneapolis on the worst team in the American League.

Though Santana still carries stigma from his 80-game PED suspension in 2015, since 2013 he has been a solid big league starting pitcher after kind of washing out with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2012.

Santana has three things going for him that makes him the most likely starting pitcher to be moved after the non-waiver August 1st MLB trade deadline:

1.) He has had an ERA no greater than 4.00 since leaving the Angels in 2012. When on the mound, he’s been great for the Kansas City Royals, the Atlanta Braves, and the Minnesota Twins.

2.) Santana is an innings eater that is able to pitch deep into ball games.

3.) He throws harder than what his slight build indicates, making his off-speed offerings all the more effective.

Overall, Santana is arguably the most likely top-tier pitcher to be moved after the non-waiver deadline. If he is moved by the lowly Twins, it will be to a playoff contender for at least a few intriguing farm hands. Santana can absolutely be a No. 3 starter on a World Series caliber team.

Next: 2. Yasiel Puig.

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