Santana signed a 4 year, $40 million contract in the winter of 2004. Stark questions weather or not the Twins will be able to afford him once his current contract expires. He points to this offseason's extravagant spending which resulted in an $11 million per season contract for Gil Meche (11-8, 4.49 ERA last season). This free agent class was very pitching poor and the few good ones were snapped up early
which lead to teams like the Royals overpaying for mediocrity. Terry Ryan is the best general manager in all of baseball, as evidenced by his refusal to get into bidding wars for free agents and willingness to trade a star player for minor league prospects and draft choices rather than lose him with no compensation, and I'm sure will do everything he can to keep Santana in a Twins uniform. The Twins and Santana have already begun contract discussions, a good sign. Their early work may help the Twins sign Santana to a new contract before his price is driven up on the open market. The Twins have also been in contract talks with Morneau, who is signed through the 2010 season and the opening of the new ballpark. Both Morneau and the Twins would like to lock into a long term deal but will not discuss a contract until next offseason. The Twins next target will be closer Joe Nathan, who came over in the A.J. Pierzynski trade, along with Francisco Lariano. Finally, Mauer just this winter inked a 4 year, $33 million contract this winter and he will also be in a Twins uniform for the opening of the new park (Morneau was offered a similar deal but feels he is worth more).
Overall, the Twins' future is not as bleak as Stark paints it. They are aware that their stars will be eligible to leave soon and are proactively addressing the situation with early contract talks. Should any of these guys walk, it will not be a total loss. Terry Ryan will not trade them for prospects and draft choices before they walk as free agents. In addition, thanks to Ryan's shrewd moves in years past, the minor leagues are stocked. Fans here are already clamoring for Matt Garza (feature in this week's Sports Illustrated Baseball Preview) and Glenn Perkins. Have no fear Twins fans, the team is going to be fine.
But get on down to the Dome to watch these guys soon (just in case)!!!
touch with baseball when his childhood heroes Robin Yount, Paul Molitor, and Jim Gantner retired but the Great Home Run Chase of 1998 reignited his passion. As a student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Erik became involved with the campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity. With this group Erik traveled to Portland, OR and Baltimore, MD to work on construction projects and help the group raise $25,000 to partially sponsor a house in Milwaukee. Also at UWM, Erik met Peter Nagel. The two attended their first Brewers game together during Opening Weekend 2003. Despite their failure to ignite the coals at their first tailgate, the two had a blast and were soon making weekly trips to the ballpark. Erik has gone on to several colleges and changed careers several times, and has moved all the way out to New Hampshire, but has always stayed true to his baseball roots by holding part-time stadium usher jobs. To this day he looks back fondly on his incredible cross-country journey.
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