Signing Santana

From the Seats, January 10, 2005

MINNEAPOLIS - Johan Santana, the 2004 Cy Young has now become the Twins top priority. The Twins would like to sign the arbitration eligible pitcher to a multi year deal, to one, save money and two, to have him locked up for a few years. Santana is certainly worth the big contract, he deserves it and should get it. Something like Radke got, but most likely more.

The Twins are looking at signing Santana to 3 years for $22 million, a little more than $7 million a year. If Santana would agree to such terms the Twins should take it and run. I think he is worthy, and the market is set for him to make more like 3 years, $33 - 35 million.

The market does not help the Twins in any way this year, but hopefully the Twins can get Santana to a deal that will help the Twins stay close to the $55 million budget they have to stay in. Or maybe is a deal where the Twins can go out of the planned budget.