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Although they were America’s MLB darling in 2014 during their surprise World Series run, the Kansas City Royals and their front office folk will not be experiencing anything quite as fun this offseason as they tackle the task of trying to retain their ace, James Shields. There is a good chance that they will find it impossible to do.
If that was to occur, former Royals RHP Ervin Santana should be their No. 1 priority in the effort to replace what the club loses upon Shields’ departure.
Santana played his cards incorrectly last season and nearly found himself without a deal late into Spring Training until the Atlanta Braves became riddled with injuries and desperate for a solid starting pitcher. Santana was formidable during his time with the Braves despite getting a late start, and went 14-10 with a 3.95 ERA.
Santana, just a season prior in 2013, went 9-10 with a 3.24 ERA with these same Royals. If he were to produce somewhere in between those two stat lines in 2015, he’d be giving Kansas City something very similar to what Shields would. It’s unlikely that a one-year deal in going to be enough to sign Santana, however, as his free agency is no longer attached to draft pick compensation in 2015.
But if the Royals, a small market club, finds themselves in the position to either chose between Santana for three-years, $45 million or Shields at four-years, $85 million, it is a borderline no-brainer for them to take Santana and save the $50 million in resources which could be allocated to another position of their roster.
Timothy Downs is a fantasy sports writer for www.RantSports.com. You can ‘like him’ on Facebook add him on Google or follow him on Twitter @Tidow1212.
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