Since I wrote my season preview for the rotation, the sky has been falling. Kris Medlen had Tommy John surgery (again). Brandon Beachy had Tommy John surgery (again). Freddy Garcia was released. Ervin Santana was signed.
Teheran has been named the Opening Day starter, basically by default. The Braves have gone from hoping for strong follow-up seasons from Teheran and Minor to needing strong seasons. Alex Wood has gone from candidate for the #5 spot to holding the third/fourth starter spot while Minor is on the DL. David Hale stands alone as the fourth starter.
Starter #3: Ervin Santana
Showing posts with label Ervin Santana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ervin Santana. Show all posts
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Thursday, March 13, 2014
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.
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.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Braves SIGN Ervin Santana, 1yr - 14.1 Million
I woke up this morning to several alerts from MLB and ESPN letting me know that the Braves have indeed gone ahead and signed Ervin Santana. Was I shocked? Yes. Was I disappointed? No. What more could I have expected with 20 days left to Opening Day? A Jeff Samardzija or David Price desperation trade? That would have been a better headline to wake up to but then again can we afford to give up the farm?
Now after a few hours of the Santana acquisition settling in, it's not THAT bad of a deal. Especially considering the situation the Braves are in. Let's take a look at some of Santana's line from 2013:
(9-10) with a 3.24 ERA, 211 IP, and 161 Ks
Compared to David Price:
(10-8) with a 3.33 ERA, 186.2 IP, and 151 Ks
Compared to Jeff Samardzija:
(8-13) with a 4.34 ERA, 213.2 IP and 214 Ks
I completely understand that I'm comparing apples to oranges, BUT I am really only comparing what was out there for the Braves to be able to make a move for. I believe the price tag on Santana is higher than what I would have preferred, but Santana will be pitching for a mega contract next season, and we didn't have to give anything up for him.
Signing Grade: B+
Also, hats off to the Braves' front office. Going over the budget and signing a pitcher shows only that the Braves are not rebuilding an organization but actually setting up for a dynasty.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Please do not sign Ervin Santana (Updated)
Just a modest request here Frank Wren. I realize Ervin Santana was a good pitcher last year. I realize that we have no idea who will be in the rotation if Medlen and Beachy are out indefinitely. Santana will likely cost around $14M, costing the Braves their first round draft pick and inevitably hindering the Braves from making any other in-season acquisitions, plus he likely will require that his new team not give him a qualifying offer next year. So again Frank Wren, please pass on Ervin Santana.
[UPDATE: Frank Wren did not listen to my advice.]
[UPDATE: Frank Wren did not listen to my advice.]
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