Ervin Santana Might Have Fired His Agent….Or Not

Aug 30, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Ervin Santana (54) looks in before delivering a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays beat the Royals 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

It may be fair to call Ervin Santana‘s foray into free agency a debacle. Considered to be one of the top free agent starters available, Santana and his representatives initially expected that he would be able to receive a six year contract worth approximately $100 Million.

When other teams heard those demands, interest in Santana rapidly vanished. Perhaps it was due to the qualifying offer that the Royals placed on Santana, or perhaps it was due to his very inconsistent past seven years, but no one seemed willing to part with the draft choice and that much money for him. And so, Santana’s demands have slowly dropped down.

It appears as though Ervin Santana has reached his limit. He is reportedly asking for a similar contract to what Ubaldo Jimenez and Matt Garza received, a four year deal worth approximately $50 Million. That offer has also yet to materialize. And so, frustrated with remaining unsigned, Santana fired his agent and is thought to seek to negotiate a contract on his own.

Or, the exact opposite. According to Jay Alou, such a change in representation has not happened.

So what exactly is happening here? Only Santana likely knows for sure. However, these reports that Santana has fired his agent may be indicative of the beginnings of frustration on his side. While Santana claims that he will not refuse anything less than what Jimenez and Garza received, what if that is no longer the case?

It may actually be in Ervin Santana’s best interest to accept a one year contract and prove that he can post consecutive seasons where he performs at the same level he did in 2013. Another year with an ERA around 3.40 and over 200 innings may provide his stock the type of boost that could get him the long term contract he desires. If Santana is willing to take a one year deal, perhaps that could signal a return to Kansas City.

Ervin Santana may be starting to get impatient as the season approaches. Perhaps there is still a chance that he returns to the Royals.