As expected, Atlanta Braves’ RHP Ervin Santana declined the team’s Qualifying Offer on Monday.
as expected, ervin santana will not accept the $15.3M qualifying offer. put up big year with braves, just get nice deal.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) November 10, 2014
Santana reportedly is seeking a five-year deal. After a strong performance in Atlanta this year, a four or five-year deal seems reasonable for him. And his team seems to have re-evaluated their client’s value in the marketplace following last year’s somewhat unrealistic proposals. Some projections have suggested 4-yr/$56M contract this offseason for Santana, and that $14M seems very reasonable in the current market. It is slightly lower than the $15.3M AAV of the QO offer, but it guarantees three more years of employment and $40M more in the bank.
Santana is also reportedly very receptive to a return to Kansas City. Santana is reported to be a fan of pitching coach Dave Eiland and others in KC, and KC may have a need for a front line starter following the likely loss of James Shields, who also rejected his QO from the Royals. Since the Royals will likely receive a compensatory pick when Shields signs with a new team, the loss of their first round pick (24th overall) to sign Santana is a relatively minor price to pay to acquire him.
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