Santana Signing Official
Johan Santana is officially a member of the Baltimore Orioles, signing a minor league deal for 2014. The deal has a $3 million base salary if he makes the roster, plus additional incentives as well. The Orioles had been rumored in the past 24 hours to be closing in on a deal for the lefty.
The soon to be 35 year old pitcher has an uphill climb to get back to the Major Leagues. The hope is that in due time (sooner rather than later), that Santana’s velocity can climb back to high 80s or low 90s. Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com tweeted yesterday that the team looks at Santana as a potential left-handed reliever out of the bullpen. Read our thoughts on the deal here.
UPDATES: Joel Sherman tweets that Santana’s contract has an opt-out clause for May 30th and contains $5.05 million in bonuses. By way of the structure and incentives, this shows that he may even be given a chance as a starting pitcher as well.
Here is Sherman’s tweet about the deal.
Johan Santana’s minor lge deal with #Orioles: $3M base in MLB, $5.05M available in bonuses. 5/30 opt-out date
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) March 4, 2014
Jeff’s thoughts:
The Baltimore Orioles have signed left-hander Johan Santana to a minor league deal with an invitation to Major League Spring Training, the team announced. Santana, 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 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).
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 pitch came in 2012. Hopefully his shoulder is finally fixed and can come back a strong pitcher.
