Paying for Durability

Today, the Atlanta Braves signed a top-of-the-rotation, veteran pitcher to shore up a roster reeling from spring injuries.

After an offseason that saw the Braves lock up their core of young talent, the Braves have suffered a disastrous spring.  Kris Medlen, previously the presumptive opening day starter, is likely facing a second Tommy John Surgery that could leave his career in jeopardy.  Mike Minor, the presumptive number two, has yet to make a spring training start due to shoulder soreness.  Brandon Beachy left Monday's spring training game against the Phillies due to tightness around his surgically repaired elbow.  The Braves signed Gavin Floyd, who had Tommy John surgery last season, last December.  The Braves hope Floyd will be ready by early May.

All injuries considered, the Braves opening week rotation likely consisted of Julio Teheran, Alex Wood, Freddy Garcia, and a choose your own adventure, with the back end of the rotation filled by starters with minimal or no major league experience.

Enter Santana.  In four of the past six seasons, Ervin Santana has posted a sub-4.00 ERA.  More importantly, with Santana, the Braves get durability.  Excluding his rookie year, Santana has reached 200 innings in five of eight seasons.  That said, Santana relies almost exclusively on his slider and fastball.  His fastball generally clocks in the low 90's, and when it dips below 92, he struggles.

Santana has had strong statistical seasons, and he's won at least 16 games three times in his nine seasons.  It's fairly safe to say the Braves know what they're getting with Santana, and in a spring of chaos and unpredictability, Frank Wren showed us he believes peace of mind is worth $14 million.