The New York Yankees have shown interest in former two-time Cy Young winning left-hander Johan Santana this offseason despite numerous injuries and him missing all of the 2014 season. Santana's become a popular man, however, and the Yankees are facing competition for his services.
yankees, jays, padres among half dozen teams considering johan santana, who's planning to start thursday for magallanes
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) January 20, 2015
Santana is pitching in winter ball in Venezuela right now, and hoping to impress enough to land another shot at making an MLB roster. He was signed to a minor league deal last season, but he missed the year after tearing his Achilles tendon in spring training. He missed the 2013 season as well because of a second torn shoulder capsule.
Santana's last action on an MLB mound came as a New York Met in 2012. He authored the first and only no-hitter in franchise history in June, but the historic moment took its toll. Santana needed 134 pitches to get through the no-no, and pitched horribly in the next 10 starts.
Over that frame Santana was 3-7 with an 8.27 ERA, and opponents hit .327 off of him. Santana wouldn't project to be a starter for the Yankees or Padres, but seems like he'd have an outside chance of butting into Toronto's top five.
Aside from veterans R.A. Dickey and Mark Buehrle, the Jays are relying on young pitchers to round out the staff. Santana's most likely role with a big league club would be as a long-relief swingman capable of spot starting, and the Jays could use him in that capacity if they want to limit the innings on their young arms.
© 2023 Sportsworldnews.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
