Sports

Angels deal righty Santana to Royals; San Francisco treats champs to parade

The Angels traded right-hander Ervin Santana to the Royals yesterday for minor league reliever Brandon Sisk.

The Angels exercised Santana’s $13 million option for next season before trading the Dominican veteran and cash to the Royals.

Santana has been a fixture in Los Angeles’ rotation since 2005, going 96-80 with a 4.33 ERA while starting at least 23 games in eight consecutive seasons. But Santana struggled for much of last season, going 9-13 with a 5.16 ERA while giving up a major league-worst 39 homers.

GIANTS: Orange-and-black clad hordes flooded the streets of San Francisco for a ticker-tape parade celebrating the 2012 World Series champions. Standing next to a gold Rolls Royce that served as his ride, Giants manager Bruce Bochy credited the fans with helping lift San Francisco to its second World Series victory in three years.

“The support they gave us was unwavering,” Bochy said. “Even when we were six to seven games back, they kept filling the park. They never gave up on us.”

RAYS: The team exercised contract options on pitcher James Shields, closer Fernando Rodney and catcher Jose Molina. The team also declined its $6 million option on DH Luke Scott, instead paying him a $1 million buyout.

REDS: Outfielder Ryan Ludwick became a free agent after declining his $5 million contract option for next season.

TIGERS: Utility man Don Kelly is being sent outright to Triple-A Toledo, but is expected to become a free agent.

INDIANS: Sandy Alomar Jr., who served as the club’s interim manager for six games in September, will return next season as new manager Terry Francona’s bench coach. The Indians also exercised their option on pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez’s $5.75 million contract for next season.

ORIOLES: Baltimore declined its option on first baseman Mark Reynolds, who was in position to receive $11 million next season. He remains under club control through the arbitration process.

ROYALS: The 2013 option on closer Joakim Soria was declined after he missed all of last season because of Tommy John surgery. Both sides have expressed interest in working out a new contract in free agency.

MARLINS: Former Pirates manager and current Tigers hitting coach Lloyd McClendon became at least the fourth candidate to interview for the manager’s job.

BLUE JAYS: Toronto exercised its $3 million option on left-hander Darren Oliver and signed outfielder Rajai Davis to a one-year, $2.5 million pact.

PIRATES: Pittsburgh picked up the option on third baseman Pedro Alvarez and parted ways with catcher Rod Barajas.