Due to an obvious underperformance as a Mariners, Santiago was spat back out to the Tigers. The cruel irony is that not only did he and Guillen become teammates in 2006, but they also went on to play in the World Series and play together another five seasons.
This wouldn’t be the first time that two trade counterparts would join hands in the same uniform shortly after. First-stint Taijuan Walker was no draft slouch, getting picked 43rd in 2010’s first round. He never achieved young-Felix filthiness in his first stint but was good enough overall.
And speaking of injury-prone, Dipoto clearly laid out the message of prioritizing James Paxton over Taijuan for the future star pitcher.