February 14, 200521 yr MINNEAPOLIS -- AL Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana and the Minnesota Twins agreed Monday to a four-year contract. Santana had been scheduled for a salary arbitration hearing Tuesday. A 25-year-old left-hander who led the league with a 2.61 ERA and 265 strikeouts last season, he became the first Venezuelan to win the Cy Young and the first unanimous winner in the AL since Pedro Martinez in 2000. He set a Twins record by winning 13 consecutive games and didn't lose in 15 starts after the All-Star break, going 13-0 with a 1.21 ERA to help Minnesota win its third straight AL Central division title. Santana, who would have been eligible for free agency after the 2006 season, had asked for $6.8 million in arbitration for the 2005 season while the Twins countered with an offer of $5 million. Before they went to a hearing, the two agreed to a multi-year deal. Santana shook off a slow start last season and was dominant for the last four months. After losing four straight starts from May 18-June 3, Santana went 18-2 the rest of the way, including 13 consecutive wins to finish the season. He was named as the AL Pitcher of the Month for July, August and September. The last pitcher to win the monthly honor three times in one season was Pedro Martinez in 1999 for Boston. Santana, whose last loss came on July 11, allowed more than two earned runs just once in his last 22 starts and lasted at least seven innings 18 times. He reached double digits in strikeouts 12 times, including a season-high 14 against Baltimore on Sept. 19. A Rule V draft pick of the Florida Marlins before being traded to Minnesota in 1999, Santana was just the third member of the Twins to win the Cy Young Award, joining Jim Perry (1970) and Frank Viola (1988). For his career, Santana is 43-18 with a 3.47 ERA in 151 appearances, including 75 starts. Information from The Associated Press and SportsTicker was used in this report.
February 14, 200521 yr Good signing for Minnesota. Santana is one player they can't be cheap and let go.
February 14, 200521 yr So much for becoming a Marlin. 685204[/snapback] Was that ever a possibility? 685404[/snapback] He was a Marlin though...for 30 minutes. :mischief Great job by the Twins. Absolutely fantastic to get him at that price considering what he would've commanded on the market this year,
February 14, 200521 yr He should've have waited to get $15 million+1 Hawaiian island a year for 7 years from the Yankees. :plain
February 15, 200521 yr What a steal 685442[/snapback] Def. I think he may regret this. 685450[/snapback] I third these comments.
February 15, 200521 yr What a steal 685442[/snapback] Def. I think he may regret this. 685450[/snapback] I don't think he will as much as some other pitchers will. I just heard AJ's value plummet.
February 15, 200521 yr ben sheets will sign long term with the brew crew within hte next year to further dash the hopes of certain organizations.
February 15, 200521 yr ben sheets will sign long term with the brew crew within hte next year to further dash the hopes of certain organizations. 685790[/snapback] Damnt
February 15, 200521 yr ben sheets will sign long term with the brew crew within hte next year to further dash the hopes of certain organizations. 685790[/snapback] 100 years $100 million
February 15, 200521 yr ben sheets will sign long term with the brew crew within hte next year to further dash the hopes of certain organizations. 685790[/snapback] 100 years $100 million 685927[/snapback] And heavily backloaded
February 15, 200521 yr This is great for us, it will help us sign AJ and Beckett long term for cheaper.
February 15, 200521 yr This is great for us, it will help us sign AJ and Beckett long term for cheaper. 686004[/snapback] AJ will be gone after this season
February 15, 200521 yr This is great for us, it will help us sign AJ and Beckett long term for cheaper. 686004[/snapback] AJ will be gone after this season 686209[/snapback] WHOS GANNA RE PLACE THEM
February 15, 200521 yr Author This is great for us, it will help us sign AJ and Beckett long term for cheaper. 686004[/snapback] Why? Now he will be the no doubt free agent prize if he decides to walk. If anything leaving looks like a better option for him. Because he'll be THE GUY of the free agent market. As long as his arm doesn't fall off, cause if it does we're screwed anyway.
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