Next stop: Baltimore!
The Orioles and left-handed pitcher Johan Santana agreed to a minor league contract on Tuesday. It is reportedly worth three million dollars. The contract includes an invitation to Spring Training. Santana was seen at the Orioles' complex on Monday, posing in uniform with “now” teammate Eduardo Rodriguez.
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"In the past, he was one of the best," said Orioles' first baseman Chris Davis. "Hopefully he can regain his form and be a help for us. There are some things you can't coach and experience is one of those things, and he definitely brings that to the table."
The Orioles were among several teams Santana pitched in front of last week. His velocity during the pitching session topped out at 81 miles per hour. Scouts did note he had great movement on his change up. Santana is still rehabbing from the shoulder surgery he had in 2013 and isn't expected to be ready until June for Major League competition.
Santana, 34, is a two-time American League Cy Young award winner with the Minnesota Twins. His career record in 12 Major League seasons stands at 139-78, with a 3.20 ERA. He has 1,988 strikeouts in 2,025.2 innings.
Signing a veteran like Santana is a good move for the Orioles. His leadership abilities and experience are unparallelled. The fact that Santana isn't going to pitch until June is a lucky break for the Orioles. They already have a full starting rotation with Ubaldo Jimenez, Wei-Yin Chen, Chris Tillman, Zach Britton, Bud Norris and Miguel Gonzalez. Even if he was healthy, Santana may not have the skill to crack such a solid rotation.
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports makes a great point in his column that I want to elaborate on. He suggests that Santana could be used as a reliever. Brian Matusz is the club's only left-handed reliever at this point. Santana could fill the role of a situational lefty in the bullpen. However, if given the chance, I think Santana could be a great closer in the Major Leagues.
Think about it. He has the experience in big-game situations. He has a 3.97 ERA lifetime in eleven playoff games. Closers don't need an explosive fastball to get the job done. His craftiness is what the Orioles would need out of the closer's role. He can fool enough batters by changing the speeds on his fastball and change up. I could see Santana pitching much like John Franco did. Franco, a left-handed closer who pitched 21 Major League seasons, retired with 424 saves. He didn't overpower batters at the end of his career. Rather, he out thought the hitters. Franco got batters out on brains, not strength and Santana can do much of the same. .
"The guy’s track record is his track record, and I think it’s also not even about the physical," Orioles' outfielder Adam Jones told the Baltimore Sun."I think it’s what he can do by being around here. He can push the pitchers, push a lot of the younger guys. He’s a mentor. He’s been a great mentor everywhere he’s been, so when you bring that quality too and not just the physical quality but the other aspect. He can come out here and help mentally with a lot of the younger pitchers. We plan on being in it thick or thin when September or August roll around. He’s been there, so his talent can definitely help us."
Jones is right on the money is his praise of Santana. He does have the experience to win key games. No matter what role he plays in Baltimore, fans can be assured it will be end well for the Orioles.
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