MLB Trade Rumors: New York Yankees Want to Sign Ervin Santana; Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays Also in the Mix
The New York Yankees are one of seven teams reportedly interested in signing free agent starting pitcher Ervin Santana, multiple sources reported on Wednesday.
The Yankees are still looking to shell out more money after already committing $465 million in free-agency spending this offseason. The Pinstripes already signed Jacoby Ellsbury (seven years, $153 million), Carlos Beltran (three years, $45 million), and recently Japanese pitching sensation Masahiro Tanaka (seven years, $155 million) to lucrative deals, but paying luxury tax seems no longer be an issue for general manager Brian Cashman.
The 31-year old Santana, who went 9-10 with 3.24 ERA and 161 strikeouts for the Kansas City Royals last season, is apparently the latest target of the Yankees, according to the latest trade rumors.
MLB insider Chris Cotillo confirmed the Yankees' desire to get Santana after revealing the suitors for the starting pitcher on his Twitter account.
"Source: #Rockies, #Orioles, #Mariners, #Yankees, #Dodgers have expressed interest in signing Ervin Santana," Cotillo tweeted.
Cotillo added that the Toronto Blue Jays remain the most ideal destination for Santana, though the team has not showed interest in getting him off the free-agency market.
"Source says #BlueJays are most obvious fit for Santana, but I could not confirm that they are pursuing at the moment. AA likes quiet," said Cotillo, who also reported the Chicago Cubs' desire to sign Santana.
Three Team Race To Get Santana
According to Ben Nielsen of Sports Illustrated Fan Sided, it will be a three-team race for the service of Santana as the Dodgers, Blue Jays and Yankees look to unload more cash this offseason.
The Royals are still looking to re-sign Santana, but the presence of big baseball franchises will make things harder for them to keep one of their best hurlers.
"The three teams to really watch out for are the Dodgers, Yankees, and Blue Jays. All have the money to push Santana's bidding way out from where the Royals are willing to go, and all have shown interest in adding another starting pitcher in one way or another," Nielsen stated in his report.
If the Yankees manage to land Santana, the Bronx Bombers will be boasting one of the most potent pitching rotations in the American League East with C.C Sabathia leading the charge on the mound.