If nothing surprising happens, the Minnesota Twins will be able to move Ervin Santana via trade by the end of this deadline, considering how many teams are looking for starting pitchers, making even the mediocre ones look great.
Both the Kansas City Royals and the Baltimore Orioles are in the market for one. The Orioles would like to solidify a top heavy unit that’s a little beat in the 4-5 area, and complement a fantastic bullpen, with an offense that’s been clicking quite well since the beginning of the seasons. The Royals are simply looking for any kind of help, as they’re trying to make up for lost ground as they trail in both the wild card and the AL Central standings.
Santana, 33, pitched for the Royals in 2013, but has been with the Los Angeles Angels for most of his career. He’s been with the Twins for the last couple of seasons, and amid all their problems this season, he’s churning out a decent campaign.
Santana is 3-8 with a 4.12 ERA, playing in 98.1 innings so far, nine innings away from surpassing last season’s total. His 1.302 WHIP is consistent with his overall performance from the last three years, striking out 6.7 batters per nine innings, while slightly improving his strikeout-per-walk situation, up to 2.61.
The big problem in moving him are the $27 million in guaranteed money he’s owed in 2017 and 2018, before a $14 million team option kicks in in 2019.
The Royals are 46-44 this season, 7 games behind the Cleveland Indians in the AL Central. The Orioles lead the AL East with a 53-36 record, two games ahead of the Boston Red Sox. The Twins are dead last in the American League with a 33-57 record, although they have won seven of their last ten games.