Braves expecting to make QO to Santana.

[Heyward]

David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes that the Braves "are expected to make" a qualifying offer to impending free agent Ervin Santana.
The qualifying offer this winter will be one year, $15.3 million. Santana turned down a $14.1 million qualifying offer last winter from the Royals and then struggled to find a big contract on the open market, so he may accept this time around. The 31-year-old right-hander had an up and down 2014 for Atlanta, posting a 3.95 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 179/63 K/BB ratio in 196 total innings.

[weso1]

I like it.

[Dalyn]

Good.

[thethe]

This should never have even been in doubt.

I'd honestly love to sign this guy to a 4 year deal.

[atl717]

This should never have even been in doubt.

I'd honestly love to sign this guy to a 4 year deal.

I don't get this at all. He's roughly a league average pitcher. Some years a little better, some years a little worse. How is going 4 years preferable to going year to year with a pitcher. Considering injuries and decline, being able to go year to year with a pitcher is so advantageous for a club.

[bravesnumberone]

No reason at all not to make the qualifying offer. Don't think I'd offer a multi-year deal, though.

[thethe]

I don't get this at all. He's roughly a league average pitcher. Some years a little better, some years a little worse. How is going 4 years preferable to going year to year with a pitcher. Considering injuries and decline, being able to go year to year with a pitcher is so advantageous for a club.

Maybe he signs for 10-12 million per year. For the amount of innings he is going to throw thats valuable.

[cajunrevenge]

I would rather take the pick and sign someone like Hammel or Peavy for less.

[thethe]

I would rather take the pick and sign someone like Hammel or Peavy for less.

Thats a fair argument. I would love to get Hammel. Perfect #3/4 in the NL.

[emk418]

I would rather take the pick and sign someone like Hammel or Peavy for less.

Agreed. But yes making the qualifying offer is a no brainer.

[weso1]

Yeah I'm hoping we get the pick too, but if we don't then we've got a solid starter next season with top of the rotation potential if he gets the breaks.

[Carp]

Good. But if we offer a multi yr deal, it needs to be for no more than 3 yrs and 40 million.

Hopefully Santana comes back and we trade for another starter. I would also like to take a flyer on Justin Masterson for the 5th spot.

[NinersSBChamps]

With the QO. If a player declines the offer the team receives compensation when he signs elsewhere?

[thewupk]

With the QO. If a player declines the offer the team receives compensation when he signs elsewhere?

Yes. Just like we gave up a pick to the Royals when we signed him this past season.

[NinersSBChamps]

I like Santana, but 15 million for him is too much. Considering our likely decreased budget. While our starting pitching isn't amazing, it was far from a problem.

[zitothebrave]

I like Santana, but 15 million for him is too much. Considering our likely decreased budget. While our starting pitching isn't amazing, it was far from a problem.

We could easily move him.

[CyYoung31]

Duh.

[Carp]

Yes. Just like we gave up a pick to the Royals when we signed him this past season.

Technically we didn't give up a pick to the Royals. We just forfeited a pick, and the Royals were awarded a sandwich pick between the 1st and 2nd round.

[Carp]

I like Santana, but 15 million for him is too much. Considering our likely decreased budget. While our starting pitching isn't amazing, it was far from a problem.

Yes but counting Floyd and Harang, we know have to replace 450 innings of quality pitching. We currently don't have a in house solutions to do that. So we're going to have to sign at least 1 pitcher

[nsacpi]

We will sign or more likely trade for a starting pitcher. Given their search for intangibles I could see the Braves trading for Buerhle.