Mets Reportedly Sign Ervin Santana to Minor League Deal
By Austin Pert
After starting the 2019 season with the Chicago White Sox, Ervin Santana became a free agent once again on April 29.
And following just one month off a roster, the pitcher is back in baseball, reportedly attempting to reclaim his big league role with the New York Mets' Triple-A squad.
#Mets are signing Ervin Santana to a minor-league deal, according to my guy @MichaelFFlorio.
— Jake Brown (@JakeBrownRadio) May 24, 2019
Santana became a free agent after refusing to head to Triple-A Charlotte when the Pale Hose sent him down. Players with more than three years in the majors can opt for immediate free agency when being designated for assignment.
Santana's 2019 start with the Southsiders wasn't exactly pretty, having accumulated a 9.45 ERA and WHIP of 1.88 in his first three starts.
The Mets are signing veteran RHP Ervin Santana to a minor league deal according to @MichaelFFlorio.
— Michael Mayer (@mikemayerMMO) May 24, 2019
He was released by the White Sox earlier this year after allowing 14 runs in 13.1 innings.
Despite his poor beginning to the season, New York believes they are getting an experienced veteran who can pitch like the career 4.09 ERA guy he is, most recently starring and starting the Wild Card Game for the 2017 Twins.
Santana was also an All-Star that season, so it's not unreasonable to think that there's more left in his tank -- all he's got to do is be better than Jason Vargas, right?