In a less than surprising move the Los Angeles Angels have traded starting pitcher Ervin Santana to the Kansas City Royals for minor league reliever Brandon Sisk. 

L.A. wasn't going to pick up the $13 million option on Santana for the 2013 season, which means that he would have become a free agent when the new league year began. It sent cash considerations to the Royals in order to get a deal done and acquire a top level minor league reliever. 

Kansas City isn't exactly a top-notch free agent destination, so it biting the bullet and giving up a youngster in the deal had to be done. The Angels threw in just $1 million in the deal. 

Santana played eight seasons with the Angels. His best year came in 2008 when the righty went 16-7 with a 3.49/1.12 split. The 29 year old has pitched a minimum of 200 innings four different times and won double-digit games a total of five times. While Santana shouldn't be considered an ace, he is a top of the rotation type of guy despite struggling to the tune of a 5.17/1.27 split in 2012. 

He joins Jeremy Guthrie, who was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles mid-season, at the top of a underwhelming Royals' rotation. Youngsters Luke Hochevar and Will Smith both accumulated ERA's of over five in disappointing seasons. 

Los Angeles made the decision to pick up some of Santana's 2013 contract in order to acquire a solid young reliever. Lefty Brandon Sisk pitched 50 games in AAA-Omaha and compiled a solid 2.54/1.35 split. He also recorded 73 strikeouts in 67.1 innings. 

Sisk shouldn't have a problem making the Angels' bullpen as a second lefty behind the veteran Scott Downs. 

Ken Rosenthal over at FOX Sports suggested on Tuesday that the Angels are also looking to trade Dan Haren as well. It remains to be seen if it was an either/or proposition for general manager Jerry Dipota. As Rosenthal pointed out, neither pitched well enough to warrant their contract options being picked up. This could indicate that Haren will be the next to go.