Even after big Jimenez signing, Orioles have remained in contact with Ervin Santana.

[Greg]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Even after big jimenez signing, <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23orioles&src=hash">#orioles</a> have remained in contact with ervin santana. Story up on <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSports">@CBSSports</a></p>— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) <a href="

">February 21, 2014</a></blockquote>

<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Redskins Rick]

I absolutely refuse to believe that they would also sign Santana. But nice try, Heyman.

True, but the way this off-season has been, anything is possible.

[clapdiddy]

Personally, if we were going to sign either Santana or Cruz/Morales, I'd rather have Santana.

I'd then use the "excess" pitching to go get other pieces.

[Hank Scorpio]

Pffffffft...

[fearthenoodle]

I think Santana is the best of the remaining free agents, regardless of position. I'd be perfectly happy to bring him in, too. I don't think I'd go the 4th year for him like with Jimenez.

[fearthenoodle]

Seattle needs a SP with Iwakuma hurt and Walker dealing with shoulder soreness. They were the runner-up for Capuano, but probably don't want or can't afford to pay for Santana.

In theory, the Orioles could sign Santana and look to flip Norris to Seattle for one of their overstocked IF/DH options.

[Guest]

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/jon-heyman/24450805/orioles-still-in-on-free-agent-starter-ervin-santana

[fearthenoodle]

That would kind of bum me out. For whatever reason, I'm a Norris guy. I think it would be a shame to trade that nasty breaking ball for a questionable DH. If nothing else, Norris could excel in the 'pen.

I'm not anti-Norris, but clearing that $5.3MM could possibly enable them the payroll space to add both Santana and Morales, provided some creative contracts from DD.

[Guest]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Source confirms report by <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeymanCBS">@JonHeymanCBS</a> that <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Orioles&src=hash">#Orioles</a> are still on Ervin Santana after signing Jimenez. Compensation would be 54th pick.</p>— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/statuses/436883627390296065">February 21, 2014</a></blockquote>

<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Bazooka Jones]

Hmm...

[joedogg9999]

Lets not forgrt that santana had better numbers than tillman and has thrown a no hitter before. There would be no arguing from me on this one. We would basically have what tillman gave us last year but x3. If it werent for JJ and our bullpen, Tillman would have easily won 20 games. Tillman, Jimenez, and Santana with our defense and already potent lineup is damn scary and easily makes us a 90+ win team.

Santana would be way more valuable than Morales IMO, althougg I wouldnt mind him either (or both!). I think having a healthy Markakis already makes this lineup much more dangerous than last year so id be pumped with having a rotation that would easily rival the Sox and Yanks, and if Gausman lives up to his billing, then the Rays as well.

[fearthenoodle]

@Joelsherman1

Breakdown of Ubaldo pact with #Orioles $11.25M ’14, $12.25M ’15, $13M ’16, $13.5M ’17. $2.25M deferred each yr without interest

[fearthenoodle]

Only $9MM for Ubaldo on this year's payroll.

[crawjo]

On Twitter Rosenthal just confirmed Heyman's report with his own source. This would be very surprising. You have to figure Santana would get similar money to Jimenez. And you'd also have to figure that getting Santana would mean another trade was coming, for a bat.

Which makes me think this also may be a ploy to get Morales or Cruz to lower their demands.

[stomperspc]

I doubt there is much to this rumor, but I agree that if true the plan would have to be to flip Norris and Seattle would seem like a likely destination. They need pitching, are willing to deal a MIF (Miller or Franklin), and Smoak would also be a potential fit for us. If they were able to move Norris for Miller or Franklin, the money saved would almost certainly offset more than 1/3 of Santana's 2014 salary since both of those guys are cheap (not arbitration eligible). It would not be a bad plan, but I doubt it happens at this stage of the off-season.