2:21pm: Sherman has the incentive breakdown and other details (Twitter links). Santana would be owed a $100K termination payment if he is released before March 25th. The incentives (per games started) are as follows: $250K (5 starts); $350K (10); $500K (15); $750K (20); $150K (21 and 22); $200K (23 and 24); and $400K (25).
12:12pm: The Orioles have signed left-hander Johan Santana to a minor league deal with an invitation to Major League Spring Training, the team announced. Santana, a client of the Legacy Agency, reportedly has a $3MM base salary if he makes the roster and also can earn $5.05MM of "very makeable" incentives based on games started and days on the roster. Santana's deal is also said to contain a May 30 opt-out.
Santana, who turns 35 in 10 days, did not pitch in 2013 after undergoing surgery to repair a torn anterior capsule in his left shoulder for the second time in three years. Santana's last work came in 2012, when he was excellent through the season's first half. That strong stretch was highlighted by the first no-hitter in Mets history on June 1, when Santana shut down a strong Cardinals lineup. However, Santana also walked five in the game and needed a whopping 134 pitches to complete the no-no — 26 more than he'd thrown in any other start of the year. Santana posted an 8.27 ERA over his next 49 innings before being shut down for the season.
The Orioles were one of seven teams to watch Santana's most recent throwing session, during which he topped out at just 81 mph. However, Santana still isn't close to being 100 percent, and that workout came very early on in his timetable to begin building up arm strength. MLB.com's Britt Ghiroli tweeted yesterday that the Orioles view Santana as a potential left-handed reliever, but the incentives suggest that the Orioles will at least try to give the former ace the opportunity to make some starts once he is healthy.
One of the best Rule 5 Draft selections in history, Santana broke out with the Twins in 2002, posting a 2.99 ERA in 108 innings. Over the next five seasons in Minnesota, Santana posted a 2.92 ERA and won a pair of AL Cy Young Awards before being traded to the Mets for a package of prospects highlighted by Carlos Gomez and former No. 3 overall draft pick Phil Humber. Santana signed a six-year, $137.5MM extension with the Mets and was solid when on the field but looks poor in hindsight due to his injury troubles.
Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com first tweeted that the two sides were nearing a deal and later added that it appeared to be done. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports tweeted the base salary and was the first to confirm the deal was finalized (Twitter link). MLB Daily Dish's Chris Cotillo tweeted the incentives total, Kubatko added details (on Twitter) and Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweeted the opt-out date. Jim Duquette of MLB Network Radio tweeted yesterday that Santana was in Orioles camp and wondered if something might be cooking between the two sides.
Orioles add another Rule 5 draft pick! Oh, wait…
This is a ‘catching lightning’ signing. His invite to spring training must only be for veteran leadership and to work with the young guys. Hopefully there isn’t an opt out clause in the contract and he can stay in Sarasota until July and get healthy.
Reports state there is there’s a May 30 opt-out date.
This is a good get. Very Red Sox-like.
A little surprised that the Orioles didn’t include a team option for 2015 (like the Yankees did with Andrew Bailey) in case Santana does come back sometime this season and pitches decently.
In any case it’s an almost no risk, potential decent reward for very little money by MLB standards.
Good call on that one. I was surprised on that as well.
Good call on that one. I was surprised on that as well.
I think O’s management took it more as a one-shot roll of the dice. Since the incentives can boost Santana’s salary from a $3 million base to just over $8 million if he hits targets for starts and Santana accepted that, it tells me he wants to prove to everyone that he’s “back” and might not have accepted an option that limited him to playing in Baltimore for ’15.
3 million dollars though …
I was gonna say they really overpaid for him. Granted it’s a low risk move cause it is a minor league deal but at the same time, why not wait to see if there is someone that can take over the 5th spot of the rotation without any issue? Hopefully he ends up being more than serviceable and provides a more solid rotation.
As a realist and an O’s fan I am happy and a little excited about this move but I am not expecting much.
yeah I am fine with the signing and potential price, other than the intent for him being a reliever. 3mil for a finesse lefty reliever, when we already have three in britton, matusz, and patton….not including AAA depth
I can’t imagine he will make it through the Baltimore gauntlet, er I mean physical.
I can’t imagine someone being dull enough to make this lame, tired joke AFTER Johan passed the physical and the deal is officially announced by the team, but it happened.
it funny how the phillies failed 2 guys this year and get no heat but its probably because they havent done anything outside burnett
Not only is this brilliantly executed, but it’s also original. Pat yourself on the back, friend. You’ve earned it.
I don’t get it…
theres no way we view him as a reliever at a potential 5mil.
$5 mil is probably the average free agent salary for a reliever. didnt run the numbers, but it wouldn’t surprise me.
Everything I’ve read is that the majority of incentives are tied to Santana starting. If he comes out of the pen, he doesn’t rack up a lot of extra bucks.
So he can possibly make 5 million to be a reliever? I wonder if they may use him as a closer.
So he can possibly make 5 million to be a reliever? I wonder if they may use him as a closer.
Very hard to make a games started incentive as a reliever.
My comment was before this article was updated.
My apologies.
He’s done, I have a better chance of making twenty starts this year.
So is Johan Santana healthier than Grant Balfour according to the Baltimore’s doctors?
No. We didn’t want to give Balfour two full years. Santana is just getting a minor league deal.
So comparing a starter who is known to be rehabbing from injury to a closer who may or may not have problems down the road makes sense to you?
He is brave trying to come back in the AL East.
He is brave trying to come back in the AL East.
low risk low reward.
how is it a low reward
Cause i’ve just watched him pitch for the last 2 years with that injured shoulder and if the reports are that his velocity is topping out at 81, he will barely able to contribute at all (assuming he doesn’t reinjure his anterior capsule) and if he does contribute at best he’ll be a No 5/long man/loogy. So, low risk, low reward.
Now, I know players strengthen over time. But before his second anterior capsule surgery Johan Santana was topping out at 88-89. After this second surgery can you reasonably believe he’ll be able to reach that?
The only saving grace is that Johan still does have an amazing change up…but if they are sitting on an 85mph fast ball….they’ll get lucky eventually.
not a bad move really since they arent expecting anything other than maybe a lefty reliever halfway through the year. and since its a minor league deal if he doesnt pan out, who cares you lost nothing. maybe they hope he’ll mentor eduardo rodriguez a little. a few years ago the Orioles would’ve made this move with hopes that he’d start 20 games this year lol
Honestly, I think its a great move
its a little more money that I originally thought but hey its not my money
basically how i feel
Overpay. If it was a straight-up minor league deal, that is one thing. However he didn’t pitch at all last season and pitched rather poorly in 2012.
so basically they got what should be a pretty decent assistant pitching coach for their young arms for the duration of the month.
Johan Santana, Nelson Cruz, Ubaldo Jimenez. The Orioles are ready to win the 2010 World series.
not if “can’t hack it” chris davis has anything to say about it.