The Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Angels made the first big trade of the MLB offseason Wednesday when the Royals acquired starting pitcher Ervin Santana from the Angels for minor league left-hander Brandon Sisk. The Royals also received $1 million dollars from the Angels who exercised the $13 million dollar option on Santana’s contract prior to the deal.
The 29-year-old Santana posted a 5.16 ERA with 6.7 K/9, 3.1 BB/9 and a 43.2% ground ball rate in 178 innings this past season. Meanwhile the 27-year-old Sisk made 50 relief appearances at Triple-A this past season posting a 2.54 ERA with 9.8 K/9 and 4.3 BB/9 in 67 1/3 innings.
The Angels are also reportedly trying to move starter Dan Haren.
- The Yankees returned Rule 5 draft pick Brad Meyers back to the Nationals after spending the entire season on the DL with a shoulder injury.
- The Cleveland Indians exercised a contract option on starter Ubaldo Jimenez and declined the options on starter Roberto Hernandez and longtime DH Travis Hafner.
- The Tigers outrighted utility man Don Kelly to Triple-A. Kelly however elected free agency and is now available to sign with any team.
- The Diamondbacks have declined the $1.24 million dollar option on Henry Blanco. This is according to Jack Magruder of FOXSportsArizona.com reports on Twitter.
- Toronto decided to exercise the contract option on left-hander Darren Oliver. The club also declined the option on Rajai Davis but re-signed him to a one-year deal worth $2.5 million.
- Jorge De La Rosa exercised his $11 million dollar contract option with the Colorado Rockies.
- Agent Scott Boras is reportedly seeking a four-year deal for closer Rafael Soriano who declined a $14 million dollar option with the Yankees Wednesday.