10:00 AM
After learning about the Atlanta Braves aggressively acting to sign Ervin Santana for $14 million to offset the loss of Kris Medlen with an elbow ligament tear, David Wright was quick to respond and defended ownership and the front office.
“My responsibility is to play third base, not decide who signs, doesn’t sign,” Wright told ESPNNewYork.com.
“I’m not a part of the decision-making process. I’m here if the front office wants to run an idea or get a player’s perspective on something.”
“I think it’s a great move by the Braves…But as far as me trying to worry about players that aren’t here, I’ve never been one to do that. And I don’t try to concern myself with it.”
When asked directly: Shouldn’t a New York organization be more forceful and active?
“I don’t know,” Wright said. “There’s different schools of thought in my opinion. There’s been teams that are very successful, for example the Tampa Bay Rays, with relatively low payrolls. And there have been teams that have been very successful like the Dodgers and Yankees with big payrolls.”
“And I’ve said this a million times: It’s not my money that we’re spending. Of course, the fan side of me, you want to go out there and sign every free agent, because it’s not my money.”
Thanks to Adam Rubin for the quotes, read the entire interview here.
8:30 AM
In the wake of the potential loss of Kris Medlen, one of the top starters in their rotation, the Atlanta Braves announced they have signed free agent Ervin Santana to a one-year deal. The deal is worth approximately $14 million, a source told ESPN Deportes’ Enrique Rojas.
Santana, 31, was widely considered the best remaining available pitcher on the open market and was linked to multiple teams over the past several weeks. The veteran righthander was 9-10 last season with a 3.24 ERA in 32 starts for the Kansas City Royals who will receive a first-round draft pick as compensation.
The Braves wasted no time acting after an MRI revealed that Medlen has some damage in his right elbow and will be meeting with Dr. James Andrews who originally performed Tommy John surgery on Medlen in 2010.
The 28-year-old grabbed his elbow in pain and walked off the field after throwing a pitch to Matt Clark during a Mets-Braves game this week. He’s posted a 2.46 ERA in 43 starts for Atlanta, a mark topped only by Clayton Kershaw among starters with at least 40 starts during that span.
