Luvofthegame
09-07-2006, 08:36 PM
BY CHARLEY WALTERS
Pioneer Press
9/7/06
The Twins' Johan Santana, who seems a cinch to win his second Cy Young Award, could become a $100 million pitcher in two years, when he can become a free agent.
The question, though, is for what team? The mega-spending New York Yankees move into their new stadium in 2009, which would be Santana's first season for free agency.
Santana, 27, is being paid $9 million this year. He'll make $12 million next year and $13.25 million in 2008, his final season on a $40 million, four-year contract.
Santana will be 29 when he can become a free agent. It didn't help the Twins when the Houston Astros the other day signed starting pitcher Roy Oswalt, 29, to a guaranteed $73 million, five-year deal.
Houston signed Oswalt a year before he could become a free agent. The right-hander will be paid $13 million each for 2007 and 2008, $14 million in 2009, $15 million in 2010 and $16 million in 2011. There is a $2 million buyout if the Astros don't pick up a $16 million option for 2012. And the contract includes a no-trade clause.
If Santana, who has an incredible 64-21 record and 2.83 earned-run average during his four seasons as a starter in Minnesota, remains healthy and on pace, he'll blow past Oswalt's deal, assuming baseball's market continues to escalate.
The Twins, who move into a new ballpark in 2010, will have a difficult decision to make. It's uncertain who will be making financial decisions for the Twins in 2008, the same for the Yankees. But by industry standards, Santana's next contract could approach $100 million over five years.
The Yankees' Alex Rodriguez is in the sixth season of a $252 million, 10-year contract.
) If the Twins don't re-sign pitcher Carlos Silva, don't think manager Charlie Manuel of the Philadelphia Phillies won't push to sign him in a hurry. Silva and Santana are close friends, making his return to Minnesota in 2006 likely.
) In February 1991 at a Reno, Nev., casino, New Prague insurance agent Ron McBroom bet $100 on the Twins to win the American League pennant (odds 80 to 1) and $100 on the Twins to win the World Series (odds 160 to 1). The Twins won both, and McBroom won $24,000.
In June this year at a Reno casino, McBroom, 61, bet $100 on the Twins to win the pennant (35 to 1) and an additional $100 on the Twins to win the World Series (75 to 1). If the Twins win both, McBroom would collect $11,000.
"I'm very confident they will win this year, more confident than I was in 1991," he said Wednesday. "In fact, I'll be surprised if they don't."
) The 11-game strip invoices for playoff games that were mailed to Twins season-ticket holders Wednesday range from $465 to $1,500.
) Attendance for the Twins' four games against the first-place Detroit Tigers beginning tonight in the Metrodome is projected to be more than 130,000, with crowds of more than 40,000 expected Saturday and Sunday.
) Twins 1991 World Series hero Jack Morris will have to zoom back from Detroit on Saturday morning to make it in time for his bobblehead day at the Metrodome. Morris flies to Detroit on Friday to play in a charity softball game of former Tigers against former Detroit Red Wings at Comerica Park.
Of the bobblehead honor, Morris said, "The Twins have been good to me, and it's an honor."
) Former Gophers pitcher Glen Perkins gave up six hits and four walks but allowed just one run in four innings with three strikeouts in his Class AAA debut for the Twins' Rochester club. The left-hander from Stillwater was promoted from Class AA New Britain.
) The sole surviving charter member of Keller Golf Club, John Baldwin, will celebrate his 100th birthday on Sept. 16. Baldwin doesn't play much golf these days, he said, because of a sore back.
"When you get to 100, you get some problems," he said Wednesday.
But he still accompanies pals during their rounds by riding in a cart and occasionally chips and putts while waiting for them to hole out.
"I like the camaraderie of golf, my playing partners, the fresh air," Baldwin said.
Baldwin, whose son Jack, 65, will retire this year as head professional at the Lafayette Club on Minnetonka Beach, was once a 6-handicapper.
The secret to a long life?
"Moderation in everything," Baldwin said. "I quit smoking when I was 82."
How long will he live?
"Sometimes I wonder about that," he said.
Pioneer Press
9/7/06
The Twins' Johan Santana, who seems a cinch to win his second Cy Young Award, could become a $100 million pitcher in two years, when he can become a free agent.
The question, though, is for what team? The mega-spending New York Yankees move into their new stadium in 2009, which would be Santana's first season for free agency.
Santana, 27, is being paid $9 million this year. He'll make $12 million next year and $13.25 million in 2008, his final season on a $40 million, four-year contract.
Santana will be 29 when he can become a free agent. It didn't help the Twins when the Houston Astros the other day signed starting pitcher Roy Oswalt, 29, to a guaranteed $73 million, five-year deal.
Houston signed Oswalt a year before he could become a free agent. The right-hander will be paid $13 million each for 2007 and 2008, $14 million in 2009, $15 million in 2010 and $16 million in 2011. There is a $2 million buyout if the Astros don't pick up a $16 million option for 2012. And the contract includes a no-trade clause.
If Santana, who has an incredible 64-21 record and 2.83 earned-run average during his four seasons as a starter in Minnesota, remains healthy and on pace, he'll blow past Oswalt's deal, assuming baseball's market continues to escalate.
The Twins, who move into a new ballpark in 2010, will have a difficult decision to make. It's uncertain who will be making financial decisions for the Twins in 2008, the same for the Yankees. But by industry standards, Santana's next contract could approach $100 million over five years.
The Yankees' Alex Rodriguez is in the sixth season of a $252 million, 10-year contract.
) If the Twins don't re-sign pitcher Carlos Silva, don't think manager Charlie Manuel of the Philadelphia Phillies won't push to sign him in a hurry. Silva and Santana are close friends, making his return to Minnesota in 2006 likely.
) In February 1991 at a Reno, Nev., casino, New Prague insurance agent Ron McBroom bet $100 on the Twins to win the American League pennant (odds 80 to 1) and $100 on the Twins to win the World Series (odds 160 to 1). The Twins won both, and McBroom won $24,000.
In June this year at a Reno casino, McBroom, 61, bet $100 on the Twins to win the pennant (35 to 1) and an additional $100 on the Twins to win the World Series (75 to 1). If the Twins win both, McBroom would collect $11,000.
"I'm very confident they will win this year, more confident than I was in 1991," he said Wednesday. "In fact, I'll be surprised if they don't."
) The 11-game strip invoices for playoff games that were mailed to Twins season-ticket holders Wednesday range from $465 to $1,500.
) Attendance for the Twins' four games against the first-place Detroit Tigers beginning tonight in the Metrodome is projected to be more than 130,000, with crowds of more than 40,000 expected Saturday and Sunday.
) Twins 1991 World Series hero Jack Morris will have to zoom back from Detroit on Saturday morning to make it in time for his bobblehead day at the Metrodome. Morris flies to Detroit on Friday to play in a charity softball game of former Tigers against former Detroit Red Wings at Comerica Park.
Of the bobblehead honor, Morris said, "The Twins have been good to me, and it's an honor."
) Former Gophers pitcher Glen Perkins gave up six hits and four walks but allowed just one run in four innings with three strikeouts in his Class AAA debut for the Twins' Rochester club. The left-hander from Stillwater was promoted from Class AA New Britain.
) The sole surviving charter member of Keller Golf Club, John Baldwin, will celebrate his 100th birthday on Sept. 16. Baldwin doesn't play much golf these days, he said, because of a sore back.
"When you get to 100, you get some problems," he said Wednesday.
But he still accompanies pals during their rounds by riding in a cart and occasionally chips and putts while waiting for them to hole out.
"I like the camaraderie of golf, my playing partners, the fresh air," Baldwin said.
Baldwin, whose son Jack, 65, will retire this year as head professional at the Lafayette Club on Minnetonka Beach, was once a 6-handicapper.
The secret to a long life?
"Moderation in everything," Baldwin said. "I quit smoking when I was 82."
How long will he live?
"Sometimes I wonder about that," he said.