Article: Ervin Santana Suspended 80 Games For Steroids

[strumdatjaguar]

I wasn't a big fan of the signing of Ervin Santana to begin with. He's an aging average (potentially above average) pitcher who will block Berrios, Meyer, May, Stewart et.al. from entering the rotation. My biggest hope was for Ervin to have a big first half and then trading him away for value. Now that's pretty much shot because he caries a public relations hit!!!!

[NoCryingInBaseball]

AWWWWW...Just logged in and now very bummed!

[cjvirnig]

It's extraordinarily disappointing that the Twins have opted for Mike Pelfrey over Trevor May.  In general, this spring has been extremely worrisome in terms of the Twins being backed into roster decisions based on economic considerations.  This is an organization that owes its fans more than that.  Unless the club genuinely feels that Mike Pelfrey gives them the best chance to win (in which case I'd be worried about their sanity), I would expect them to add the best player available.  Santana's suspension is a crushing blow, but it could also be a huge opportunity for a guy like Trevor May.  Or even Alex Meyer.

[h2oface]

 

It is synthetic testosterone.  Controlled substance and requires a Federal Schedule III form every time it is prescribed.  The likelihood it is in any legit OTC supplement is about the same as codeine or LSD analogs (also schedule III drugs)

Just to clarify, LSD is still rated (along with the most mis-rated substance ever, marijuana) by the DEA as schedule I....... which makes your statement even more true, however, other than the bit about LSD.

 

http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/schedules/

[Halsey Hall]

Pelfrey gets his chance.  I hope he takes it and shines. 

 

but what a bummer. 

[h2oface]

I am totally in the camp that is totally disappointed the the one pitch starter, Pelfrey, is added to the rotation instead of May. Another missed opportunity.

[TheLeviathan]

.  Santana's suspension is a crushing blow, but it could also be a huge opportunity for a guy like Trevor May.  Or even Alex Meyer.

It's my same beef with the "look at all the great depth" argument. These guys are only good depth and ready for opportunities if the friggin team bothers to call them up. Man I hope this is the low point for this team.

[Thrylos]

 

Just to clarify, LSD is still rated (along with the most mis-rated substance ever, marijuana) by the DEA as schedule I....... which makes your statement even more true, however, other than the bit about LSD.

 

LSD is a schedule I, indeed.  LSD analogs (which is what I was talking about) like Lysergic Acid (The LS in LSD - full name LySergic acid Diethylamide) is a schedule III

Edited April 3, 2015 by Thrylos

[h2oface]

With Santana pitching with (and signed for 4 years with) a partially torn UCL for the last 6 plus years....... the PED might be why he has lasted this long.

[TMitchell]

As I understand, Santana is out until July 4, but can go to the minors on June 24 to start getting ready.  He will be ineligible for 2015 post-season in the event the Twins qualify, or if he were to be traded to a team which does qualify.   Santana will not be paid for the period of suspension, but his contract otherwise stays in place.

 

Is this right?

[cjvirnig]

 

I am totally in the camp that is totally disappointed the the one pitch starter, Pelfrey, is added to the rotation instead of May. Another missed opportunity.

Totally agreed.  Obviously there is politics involved here.  Pelfrey was already plenty sore at being demoted to the bullpen last week.  If the Twins had called up Trevor May, it likely would have created an issue in the clubhouse.  But since Santana's suspension is unpaid, the Twins could afford to eat Pelfrey's salary and ship him out if necessary.

[Thrylos]

 

As I understand, Santana is out until July 4, but can go to the minors on June 24 to start getting ready.  He will be ineligible for 2015 post-season in the event the Twins qualify, or if he were to be traded to a team which does qualify.   Santana will not be paid for the period of suspension, but his contract otherwise stays in place.

 

Is this right?

 

This part is not.  The current CBA is from 2012-2016.  Peralta was suspended in 2013 and he played in the post-season.

[Kwak]

Gosh, May and Meyer, were behind both Milhone and Pelfrey in Ryan's Dream Team. Those two are damned or ****.  Right now I'm envisioning the ceiling of the Sistine chapel (fresco part) and May and Meyer are in this bad place with a large finger pointed at them.

[TMitchell]

 

This part is not.  The current CBA is from 2012-2016.  Peralta was suspended in 2013 and he played in the post-season.

I don't think so, but I hope you're right, and I hope it matters.

[jctwins]

 

I am totally in the camp that is totally disappointed the the one pitch starter, Pelfrey, is added to the rotation instead of May. Another missed opportunity.

 

I have to say watching him get shelled in his first outing would be quite entertaining, though.

[Penthang]

I am so disappointed that the Twons chose to move Pelfrey out of the bullpen, I was actually excited to see if putting him in the pen could actually make him a valuable piece. When I read the headline my first thought was "great, now there's a spot for Meyer in the rotation"

...sigh... It seems like they want to loose 90 again AND give us no reason to watch.

[jorgenswest]

 

The Twins need to release him today.

 

He was a number 4 starter using steroids. Off the steroids he will decline fast. He is of no use to the Twins. He has no trade value. They are not going to sell more tickets in games he starts. He just takes a spot that needs to go to the future.

 

Maybe this will stop Terry from bringing in veterans to be role models and mentors.

.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

This is Ervin Santana's 4th team in 4 years.

 

In kindergarten they call this "musical chairs"

[nicksaviking]

This is Ervin Santana's 4th team in 4 years.

In kindergarten they call this "musical chairs"

In the business world they call it inside information.

 

In the underground gambling world they call it losing at Russian Roulette.

[Pius Jefferson]

I realize it's guilt by association but I'm not comfortable cheering for a team with a cheater on it. 

[stringer bell]

What a mess.  Let me first comment on Santana.  There is no excuse!  The sliver of good news is that he is denied more than $6M, as it should be.

 

Regarding Pelfrey:  Put up or shut up.  He is healthy, well-paid, and has contributed next to nothing for the past two years.  Third and last chance with the Twins.  If he doesn't perform well, he will have no one to blame but himself.  Personally, I like Pelfrey and wish him the best, but the leash should be really short.

 

Thompson or Thielbar?  Burger King or McDonalds. Neither is fine dining or ever will be. 

 

I have bowed to Mr. Ryan's knowledge on a many topics, but each unexplainable decision has eroded my confidence to the point that I have to wonder if the game has passed him by.  He doesn't share more than he has to, nor does he have to, but this continuing series of low-upside older players is very hard to defend.

[drock2190]

I'm to the point i don't even care. I just chuckled when I read the news. Seriously waiting for the next player to go down so we can call up Doug Bernier. 

 

Top 3 pick here we come!

[drock2190]

 

I realize it's guilt by association but I'm not comfortable cheering for a team with a cheater on it. 

 

Well you cheered on the right team during the steriod era. 

[stringer bell]

 

The Twins need to release him today.

He was a number 4 starter using steroids. Off the steroids he will decline fast. He is of no use to the Twins. He has no trade value. They are not going to sell more tickets in games he starts. He just takes a spot that needs to go to the future.

Maybe this will stop Terry from bringing in veterans to be role models and mentors.
.

We don't know how long Santana has used steroids.  We do know he will now be a suspect if he performs well and will be castigated if he performs poorly.  I am sure he will be next to untradeable after this. 

[MileHighTwinsFan]

No provision in his contract that allows Twins to nullify the deal?

 

Seems like Twins could and should find a way out of this deal.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I guess that answers the question as to who is the one fascinated with the mediocre vets.  Sorry TR, I really don't understand how Pelfrey is getting the starting nod over May... OK, I guess I do understand.  You're hoping he and Milone can string together a good month or two and you can trade him at the deadline for a decent spec...  I get that.  Heck, I get Meyer being demoted... but goodness.. 

[LaBombo]

At the risk of incurring the wrath of TD mods, here's my visual album of the torid but brief love affair between Twins fans and Ervin Santana:

 

December 12, 2014 signing:

 

http://ak-hdl.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr06/2013/8/29/19/anigif_enhanced-buzz-4623-1377817997-14.gif

 

 

April 3, 2015 suspension:

 

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/08/07/article-2385908-1B2FD065000005DC-279_634x345.jpg

 

 

 

 

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/ferrisbueller-2-thumb.jpg

 

 

 

 

http://www.houses.com/SiteNewsArticles/Ben_Rose_Ferris2.jpg

 

 

Note to mods:  Sorry for the excessive use of images in a non-game thread.    If it helps, consider the images withdrawn from the excess pixels accrewed in my account during my four month winter hibernation...

Edited April 4, 2015 by LaBombo

[jokin]

 

In the business world they call it inside information.

In the underground gambling world they call it losing at Russian Roulette.

 

 

If I may Nick, can I expand on your cogent comments...?

 

 

In the business world they also call it failure to perform due diligence

 

In the underground gambling world, they also call it crapping out.... and man, did Terry ever throw a deuce on this one!

[jorgenswest]

I write about the 4 year outlook for Santana a while back.

 

http://twinsdaily.com/blog/36/entry-6349-what-can-the-twins-expect-from-santana-and-nolasco/

 

The Twins really needed to bank on his first two years. He looked to decline to a number 5 starter or worse the last two years. That was assuming he wasn't helped by steroids.

 

If the evidence is there and confirmed, release him. Do it today.

Edited April 4, 2015 by jorgenswest

[jokin]

 

 

At the risk of incurring the wrath of TD mods, here's my visual album of the torid but brief love affair between Twins fans and Ervin Santana:

 

December 12, 2014 signing:

 

http://ak-hdl.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr06/2013/8/29/19/anigif_enhanced-buzz-4623-1377817997-14.gif

 

 

April 3, 2015 suspension:

 

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/08/07/article-2385908-1B2FD065000005DC-279_634x345.jpg

 

 

 

 

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/ferrisbueller-2-thumb.jpg

 

 

 

 

http://www.houses.com/SiteNewsArticles/Ben_Rose_Ferris2.jpg

 

 

Note to mods:  Sorry for the excessive use of images in a non-game thread.    If it helps, consider the images withdrawn from the excess pixels accrewed in my account during my four month winter hibernation...

 

Man, it's like you've been saving up your inspirations via images for just such an event...