As I mentioned yesterday, we’re probably going to hear a lot of rumors saying “the Pittsburgh Pirates have expressed interest in (insert bounce back pitcher here)”. That’s mostly due to the indecision from A.J. Burnett, and the fact that the Pirates would need to look at other options to be prepared if Burnett retires.
Today’s bounce back pitcher of note is Johan Santana. Andrew Marchland of ESPN New York says that the Pirates were one of several teams who have shown some level of interest in the left-hander. He names eight teams: the Yankees, Mets, Twins, Rays, Orioles, Royals, Brewers, and Pirates.
Santana has missed two of the last three years with shoulder surgery, and is a big injury risk for that reason. The only year he pitched was in 2012 when he had a 4.85 ERA in 117 innings of work. Prior to 2011 he was one of the best pitchers in baseball. Santana turns 35 in March.
Marchland says that he will throw in January to showcase himself, unless a team separates itself from the pack. Right now it seems that Santana will only get incentive-laden, non-roster invitee offers, according to Marchland, which is what Santana would hope to improve upon in January.
UPDATE 12:39 PM: Travis Sawchik says that the Pirates have requested medical information on Santana, and will meet with his camp today.
The Pirates have requested Johan Santana's medicals and his camp plans to meet with the club later today
— Travis Sawchik (@Travis_Sawchik) December 11, 2013
I wouldn’t expect a deal based on this. Sawchik says that it would be in Santana’s best interest to throw from a mound before getting serious about a contract.
Santana (shoulder) is throwing from 180 feet. It's probably in his best interest to throw from mound before getting serious about a contract
— Travis Sawchik (@Travis_Sawchik) December 11, 2013
Based on this report, and the report above, I’d say that Santana will wait until January to sign. He’s got a lot of interested teams, and his value can only go up if he looks good off the mound. The Pirates, or any other team, would probably have to take on a big risk to get him to sign now, as Marchland indicated above.
