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Ervin Santana Wanting A Five-Year Deal Is Outrageous

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Ervin Santana

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Only the most elite free agent pitchers command huge salaries and several years of guaranteed money. Even though he’s one of the best second-tier pitchers on the open market, Ervin Santana isn’t in that group of pitchers. However, that hasn’t stopped him from seeking a lengthy contract normally reserved for the best of the best.

Reportedly, Santana is seeking a five-year deal, which he would be incredibly lucky to get. That’s because he’s not an ace and his career isn’t on the upswing. Even though he is one of the more underrated pitchers in the game, looking for five years is incredibly bold. However, you obviously can’t blame the man for trying. In professional sports, athletes have to make their money while they can. In his case, though, looking for five years is a little absurd.

The only pitchers who are likely to get that many years on a contract in this free agency period are Max Scherzer and Jon Lester. Not even James Shields is projected to get five years since he’s 32 years old.

Given his solid year playing for the Atlanta Braves last season, Santana certainly deserves a payday. He does not deserve that money over five years, though. A more reasonable deal would be something in the neighborhood of three years and $45 million. It would be hard for him to turn down a deal like that regardless of if he’s seeking a five-year deal or not.

There’s a very good chance that if Santana wants a fifth year on his contract, he’s going to have to take an annual discount in salary. If he’s willing to cut a significant amount of annual salary in order to ensure five years, a deal is possible. Either way, if he does get that five-year deal he seeks, he will be the one looking like a genius in the end.

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