Cafardo: Yankees May Have Increased Interest In Ervin Santana

Aug 4, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Ervin Santana (54) pitches during the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

After signing Japanese starter Masahiro Tanaka to a seven-year, $155 million contract, most people assumed the Yankees winter was complete. That may not be true. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the Yankees interest in free agent starting pitcher Ervin Santana. According to Cafardo:

"…the Jays need him the most, but the Yankees could really use one more solid starter to finish off their staff. Don’t be surprised if their efforts intensify."

The question is why? Even though he went 9-10 with a 3.24 ERA, he still gave up 26 home runs, which would increase at Yankee Stadium. Also, the Yankees already have four solid starters and Michael Pineda is supposedly progressing quite well.

If the Yankees were to go after another starter, why not Ubaldo Jimenez?

Jimenez had an unbelievable second half of 2013, had an overall ERA of 3.30, and only gave up 16 home runs.

Though he has good stuff, Santana makes no sense, plus there are plenty of conflicting reports to Cafardo’s thoughts, stating that Brian Cashman and the Yankees are done spending for the spring, which would obviously put them out of the market to add Ervin Santana, who in reality, could end up being an over-priced version of Phil Hughes.

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