Ah yes, Spring is just around the corner.
While most of America is ready for Spring so we can finally enjoy some warmer temperatures that will actually stick around for a while, baseball fans are just happy to see their favorite players again at Spring training.
Some of those players may be wearing a different uniform this season.
Like ex-Kansas City Royal Ervin Santana.
The right-handed-pitcher was signed by the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday for a $14.1 million, one-year contract.
Santana, 33, started 32 games last season for the Royals and went 9-10 with a 3.24 ERA.
The new member of the Braves bullpen had many offers since becoming a free agent, including the Baltimore Orioles, the Toronto Blue Jays, and the Minnesota Twins, but the offer from the Braves won out in the end. “It was a lot of waiting, but thank God I already have a team to play. Can’t wait to play. It was hard. I had a lot of patience, but my family and God are always right next to me, and that helped me,” said Santana.
The Braves can use an extra hand in the bullpen. Brandon Beachy and Mike Minor are starting the season on the disabled list, while Kris Medlen may be out for the season.
The decision to add to the pitching staff was necessary. Braves general manager Frank Wren said, ”In light of what has happened over the past few days with our pitching staff, we felt it was incumbent on us to do everything we could to strengthen our starting pitching.”
The Braves also took to their official Twitter account to announce the news.
The Braves have agreed to terms with RHP Ervin Santana on a one-year Major League contract. Santana will wear uniform number 30.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) March 12, 2014
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez is also very happy with Santana becoming a part of the lineup. ”This guy makes our rotation a lot better than where we are at now.” Gonzalez also took some time out to praise Wren for his choice, “We lost Medlen and Beachy in a matter of 2 1/2 days and he went out there and got the best pitcher available for us.”
Santana got happy with the hashtags on Twitter after it was announced he would be joining the Braves.
#BRAVES2014
#THISisOurYear
#SMELLBASEBALL
— Ervin Santana (@ErvinSantana_54) March 13, 2014
He continued with the hashtag fun by getting Braves fans involved.
RT if you are ready to #SMELLBASEBALL
#BRAVES2014
#THISisOURYEAR
— Ervin Santana (@ErvinSantana_54) March 13, 2014
Before being traded to the Royals in 2013, Santana played with the Los Angeles Angels for eight seasons.
Many took to Twitter to congratulate Santana and welcome him to Atlanta.
Congrats to @ErvinSantana_54 on his new deal with the @braves. (Image via @MLB) #LouisvilleLoyal #freshpiece pic.twitter.com/TZ7V9DInHY
— Louisville Slugger (@sluggernation) March 12, 2014
@ErvinSantana_54 can't wait to see you pitch for us! Welcome to Atlanta! #Braves
— Jessica Smith (@Bravesgirl023) March 13, 2014
@ErvinSantana_54 welcome to the braves Ervin, looking forward to a great season
— Wes Courtney (@Wes7fsu) March 13, 2014
Image via Ervin Santana, Twitter.