ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Braves took their first offseason step toward clarifying the club's starting rotation on Monday, tendering a qualifying offer to right-handed veteran Ervin Santana for the 2015 season.
The one-year offer, at a reported $15.3 million, essentially positions the Braves for getting a compensatory pick in the 2015 Major League Baseball draft, if Santana -- an unrestricted free agent -- rejects the offer and signs with another team in the coming months.
Santana was a surprise, but necessary acquisition for the Braves during spring training last March, an obligatory pickup once Atlanta lost starters Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy to injuries in the same week.
The 31-year-old Santana (who turns 32 in December), in turn, rewarded the Braves with one of his most complete seasons in the majors, going 14-10 with a 3.95 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 179 strikeouts.
Of equal importance, Santana surrendered just three runs or less in 20 of his 31 starts and only 16 homers (a career low).
Given the always-robust market for starting pitching, Santana will undoubtedly seek a multiyear deal with his next contract, which might be amenable to the Braves. Given his age and versatility with American League and National League hitters, Santana (formerly of the Angels and Royals) should be attractive to clubs in need of a No. 2 or 3 starting pitcher.
A one-time All Star (2008), Santana (119 career victories) has four seasons of 14-plus wins and one no-hitter on his resume (2011 against the Indians).
