MINNEAPOLIS (AP) β Two people with direct knowledge of the deal say the Minnesota Twins and free-agent right-hander Ervin Santana are working to finalize a four-year contract worth $55 million.
The agreement was reached Thursday in San Diego at baseball’s winter meetings. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been signed. They said Santana’s guarantee will include a $1 million buyout of a fifth-year option on the contract.
The Twins again brought a need for better starting pitching into the offseason, and Santana has been one of the steadiest around. He turns 32 Friday. Santana was 14-10 with a 3.95 ERA in 31 starts for Atlanta last year.
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AP Sports Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report from San Diego.
