Ervin Santana Draws Interest From Rangers, Orioles, Mariners And Rockies; Johan Santana Struggles To Crack 80 MPH In Yankees Workout

While highly coveted free agents including right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez, catcher Brian McCann, second baseman Robinson Cano and former Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz have all found new homes during the winter, other notable talents remain available just weeks before the 2014 Major League Baseball regular season opens. Former Los Angeles Angels and Kansas City Royals starter Ervin Santana continues to garner attention despite not lowering his free agent asking price, which is roughly $50 million over the span of four seasons. Though many clubs will view that as too tall a fee for someone who has proven to be inconsistent, multiple teams continue to express interest in the righty.

According to CBS Sports, the Baltimore Orioles -- who recently inked right-handed starter Ubaldo Jimenez to a four-year, $50 million -- along with the Colorado Rockies, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners continue to monitor Santana, with each team holding the need for additional starting pitching. The 31-year-old Dominican Republic native posted a 9-10 overall record with a 3.24 ERA in 211 innings last season for the Royals, rebounding from a tough 2012 campaign with the Angels. Despite previously stating that he would sit out the 2014 season before signing a measly one-year deal similar to the contract Nelson Cruz signed with Baltimore, Santana continues to hold onto his significant asking price with Spring Training underway.

As Ervin Santana continues to look for a new home, former National League Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana remains interested in a Major League comeback after sitting out the entire 2013 season due to issues with his left shoulder. Set to turn 35 in March, Santana hopes recent workouts proved strong enough to land him an offer from various clubs just 10 months removed from his second surgery in nearly three years. After struggling to find major league velocity however, the former Minnesota Twins and New York Mets ace may sit on the market a bit longer.

Santana posted an 11-9 record and 2.98 ERA in 2010 with the Mets but struggled to crack the 80 mph mark in a recent throwing session held in front of seven teams including the New York Yankees. Topping out at 81mph, the two-time Cy Young winner’s velocity was well below the low-to-mid 90 mark he was known for while in his prime. Nonetheless, Santana hopes to be ready for a big league game by May 1 of June 1 of 2014.

It is believed that at least three American League teams have expressed interest in the lefty, including the Yankees and Minnesota Twins though no official offers have been made.