Ervin Santana
Several baseball fans will forget that Santana pitched a portion of last season. Ultimately, his numbers represented five poor starts after returning from a severe injury.
But like Gonzalez, Santana had a spectacular 2017 season – he was also an All-Star. Yet, his final stint with the Twins might suggest his career is near its end.
However, he remains as one of the more reliable unsigned starters. Whether he would be a major contributor for the Yankees is a critical question.
The Dominican starter has arguably gotten better with age. He posted his best seasons following his 30th birthday. And he was also Minnesota’s premier pitcher two years ago, posting a 3.38 ERA and the second-best WHIP in his career.
Surely, Santana would be a one-year contract recipient, which makes a deal less risky. And if he can remain on the mound rather than off the field to nurse his ongoing finger injury, he could be a surprise in the American League.
Similar to Gonzalez, Santana doesn’t miss many bats any more. His strikeout rate has dwindled considerably since 2014, though he uses the same repertoire. And he would also be facing a division with one of baseball’s best offense and other formidable hitters.
Even more concerning is his velocity, which was down an average of four miles per hour between 2017 and 2018. It’s clear Santana wasn’t at his full health last season, which showed in his overall numbers.
Cashman and the Yankees front office may not partake in any negotiations unless they can get Santana for an extremely low price. Even then, it’s unclear whether the front office trusts the right-hander enough to maintain a spot with Sabathia slotted in the back end.