Minnesota avoided arbitration with LHP Johan Santana, signing him to a four-year, $40M contract yesterday. When teams and players exchanged arbitration figures, the Twins offered Santana $5M while he requested $6.8M. This contract buys out Santana's remaining arbitration years and his first two season of free agent eligibility.

The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, Santana dominates his opponents and exercises solid control over his pitches. The 25-year-old lacks any substantial health troubles, so Minnesota should benefit from his performance during his physical prime. Considering this winter's market, this deal looks quite reasonable.

Last week, RHP Carlos Silva avoided arbitration with the Twins, reaching an agreement on a two-year, $5.05M contract that includes a $100,000 buyout on a $4M option for 2007. When the two sides exchanged arbitration figures, Minnesota offered $1.65M while Silva request $2.225M. Under the compromise, Silva will receive a salary of $1.75M in 2005 and $3.2M in 2006. The deal includes built in escalators for the option price based on the number of innings he pitches during the first two seasons of the deal. By pitching 360 innings, he can jump the option price to $4.325M. If he totals 380 IP, the option price increases to $4.75M and for every 20 IP over 380 it then increases by $250,000, maxing at $5.75M for 440 IP between the two seasons. If Silva pitches 205 innings in 206, 410 innings in the first two seasons, or is traded, the team option converts to a mutual option. In addition to the escalators, the contract provides for up to $100,000 in potential bonuses each season in the form of a $25,000 bonus when he reaches both 195 and 200 IP as well as a $50,000 bonus for pitching 210 innings.

Silva does not dominate his opponents, but the 25-year-old possesses excellent control and keeps the ball on the ground. Provided Minnesota maintains a decent defense, he should provide the Twins with a competent innings eater for the duration of this contract. My primary concern regarding the contract centers on the fact that most of the escalators and bonuses appear within Silva's reach. However, even if Silva activates all of the contract's extras, he will only receive $10.9M over the next three years, which isn't a bad price for a consistently effective starter.

The Twins avoided arbitration with LHP J.C. Romero in mid-January, signing the 28-year-old to a two-year, $3.7M contract that includes a $250,000 buyout on a $2.75M option for 2007. He will receive a salary of $1.25M in 2005 and $2.2M in 2006. The contract includes escalators for the option price based on games finished, which could increase the cost of the option to $3.5M.

Romero posts uncomfortably high walk rates but dominates his opponents and keeps the ball on the ground. He's more effective against right-handed batters than against lefties, but I do not believe Minnesota needs to limit his exposure to left-handed hitters. This deal is not inexpensive, but the Twins probably won't regret it.

Minnesota was unable to reach an agreement with RHP Kyle Lohse prior to an arbitration hearing. When the two sides exchanged arbitration figures, the Twins offered $2.15M while Lohse requested $2.4M. The panel of arbitrators ruled in favor of Lohse, granting him a one-year, $2.4M contract on February 11th. Lohse never has posted high strike out rates and last season he struggled with his control. While his G-F displayed signs of progress, if the 26-year-old's skills do not improve, he will not deserve his salary or his place in the Twins' rotation.

In January, Brent Abernathy, Andy Fox, Trey Hodges, Eric Munson, C.J. Nitkowski, Armando Rios, and Pat Strange all signed minor league contracts with the Twins.