Free agent righty Ervin Santana will begin preparing for spring training despite remaining unsigned.
Ervin Santana rumors: Several teams showing late interest
Ervin might not be lonely for long.
Jamie Squire
After spending time with family in the Dominican Republic, Santana is now working out in Arizona, as Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reports.
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Toronto has often been mentioned as a potential suitor for the 31-year-old right hander as well. Teams' hesitation to sign him is largely base on his attachment to an early draft choice, since he turned down the Royals' qualifying offer earlier this winter.
However, the Blue Jays' first round picks are protected (the 9th and 11th overall), so signing him would only cost them the 49th pick overall -- their second rounder.
The Yankees and Mariners would also be able to avoid losing first rounders. New York, because they have already forfeited their first three picks by signing Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian McCann, and Carlos Beltran; and the Mariners, because their first-rounder is protected.
Baltimore, Cleveland, and Los Angeles would be forced to forfeit picks later in the first round.
Santana bounced back from a rough 2012 last season, pitching to a 3.24 ERA in 211 innings with the Royals, but he might be forced to make some considerable compromises in order to facilitate a deal quickly.
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