The Orioles appeared to be hesitant to sign a free agent attached to draft compensation earlier this offseason, but after taking the initial plunge, Baltimore might be more inclined to dip into the qualified player pool again.
Orioles rumors: Baltimore remains in contact with Ervin Santana
Landing Ubaldo Jimenez hasn’t stopped the Orioles from their pursuit of Santana.
Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Ubaldo Jimenez has agreed to a deal with the Orioles, pending a physical ... but his presence doesn't appear to be enough to deter the team from pursuing the market's other draft-tethered starter -- Ervin Santana. According to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, the team has remained in contact with Santana.
Santana, 31, is easily the best remaining starter in free agency.
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Santana began mixing his pitches and employing a sinker, with which he was able to induce a 57 percent ground ball rate. Over the course of his nine-year career, the right hander has seen a wide variety of results, but he’s been able to stay relatively healthy, and could present the Orioles with a significant number of innings if the team decides to sign him.
In Baltimore, Santana wouldn’t have the same kind of pitcher-friendly environment he had last year, and the O’s would be forced to forfeit another draft pick -- No. 55 overall -- to acquire him. However, general manager Dan Duquette said his team would be more likely to sign a second qualified free agent if they made the initial decision to surrender their first-round pick. Baltimore’s draft budget could be slashed by nearly 50 percent if they sign another such player, but the team might not see a diminished draft budget as a significant enough consequence to pass on another impact player.
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