The New York Mets have agreed to terms with veterans Matt Kemp and Ervin Santana on a pair of minor-league deals.
Brodie Van Wagenen is addicted to veterans on minor-league deals. On Friday, the New York Mets announced two more minor-league signings in Matt Kemp and Ervin Santana.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported the Kemp deal.
Sources: Matt Kemp to #Mets on minor-league deal.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 24, 2019
Earlier in the day, the Mets revealed the Santana signing on their official Twitter account.
We have agreed to terms pending a physical to a minor league contract with RHP Ervin Santana. Santana would first report to Port St. Lucie, FL. #Mets pic.twitter.com/1rjfUQkNbQ
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 24, 2019
Kemp, 34, last played for the Cincinnati Reds this season. He was released after 20 games played producing paltry results. Kemp finished his Reds tenure batting just .200 with one home run and five runs batted in.
Of course, Kemp’s better days were realized in Los Angeles with the Dodgers. The MVP-type talent smacked 39 homers and 126 runs batted in with a cool .324 clip at the plate during the 2011 campaign.
Santana, 36, is a two-time All-Star who’s enjoyed success with both the Los Angeles Angels and Minnesota Twins. Over a 15-year career, Santana owns a 4.09 ERA and 1.272 WHIP with 1,926 strikeouts in 2,421.1 total innings pitched.
The veteran righty has started just eight games with disastrous results this season and last. He hasn’t been the same since his All-Star campaign with the Twins in 2017.
The success of recent veteran additions Carlos Gomez and Rajai Davis coupled with injuries to Robinson Cano, Michael Conforto and Jeff McNeil has prompted Van Wagenen to continue traveling down the veteran rabbit hole.
Ervin Santana will first report to Port St. Lucie. We’re still waiting to hear where Matt Kemp will begin his New York Mets journey.
