MLB Trade Rumors 2014 Update: Could Ervin Santana Come Back to L.A Angels? Raul Ibanez Set To Sign With Halos

The Los Angeles Angels, looking to further solidify their pitching rotation, could bring back a familiar face in Ervin Santana, who is coming off a great season with the Kansas City Royals.

The 31-year-old Santana delivered perhaps the best season of his entire MLB career after posting a career-best 3.24 ERA with a 9-10 record and 161 strikeouts in 211.0 innings pitched. The veteran hurler was also instrumental in giving the Royals' pitching rotation the distinction of having the sixth-best ERA in Major League Baseball at 3.45 while helping the team get their second winning regular season since 1994.

According to Rant Sports writer Bob Garcia, Santana appears to be the perfect fit for the Angels as the ballclub tries to add more pieces to their already vaunted pitching unit.

The Angels traded Santana in October 2012 to the Royals in exchange for left-handed reliever Brandon Sisk primarily because of his inconsistency on the mound throughout his first eight seasons with the team.

Prior to being traded, Santana posted a career-worst 5.16 ERA with a 9-13 record and allowed opposing batters to score homers 39 times against him. However, all of his struggles early in his career seem to be a thing of the past now as Santana looks to make a big splash on the free agency market.

With the Royals already signing Jason Vargas and Omar Infante, Santana will likely find a new team next season. Still, several sources indicated the New York Mets, Detroit Tigers, Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks have all expressed interest in signing Santana, if the price is right.

"The Tigers, Diamondbacks and Mariners are a few of the teams that have been linked to Santana this offseason, though we probably won't know the full extent of his market (and the market for other top free agent starters) until Masahiro Tanaka's situation has been settled," MLB Trade Rumors reported.

The Angels, on the other hand, will likely take a wait-and-see approach, though the possibility of Santana's comeback with his old team is still open.

Meanwhile, ESPN Los Angeles reported the Angels are close to signing 41-year old left fielder Raul Ibanez, who could pocket up to $5 million if incentives are met.

"Multiple reports said the deal is for a $2.75 million base salary and includes incentives that could increase the payout to $5 million. It is expected to be complete when Ibanez passes a physical exam," ESPN reported.