According to the Baltimore Sun, Johan's going to the O's on what will obviously be a minor league deal.

 

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-johan-santana-spotted-at-orioles-facility-20140303,0,644536.story

Ah man. I wanted him here, even if he's a longshot to make it back.

Evidently, they see him as a lefty reliever.

I'd like to see him here also. Though it only would have been for half a season at most. If he pitched well he would have been looking for a new free agent deal in 2015 anyway. If he didn't, well we would probably encourage retirement. As it stands, maybe it's best to wait and see if he's still got something left and bid on him for next summer.

If it's one of those deals where he can opt out if he isn't called up by a certain date, we may yet get another chance.

I'm sad to see him sign elsewhere, but signing him when he can only throw 80 mph doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

If it's one of those deals where he can opt out if he isn't called up by a certain date, we may yet get another chance.

 

If we get such a chance, what are the odds he's been performing well?

If we get such a chance, what are the odds he's been performing well?

 

Maybe the Orioles are just that loaded?

For the Twins to sign some of the pitchers they have this off season, and not get Johan Santana signed and take a chance on him............ it is not encouraging.

If your FB is 80, what is your change? 72? 65?

If your FB is 80, what is your change? 72? 65?

 

The Bob Tewksbury eephus.

I have a hard time seeing this one biting the Twins in the ass in 2014. Its doubtful he pitches in the MLB this season, and if he does I'd imagine the Twins will be following him like every other MLB team.

I heard through the grapevine that the Orioles are scouting Rod Carew, too. Apparently his fungoes are really sharp and they think he might be able to help.

If it's one of those deals where he can opt out if he isn't called up by a certain date, we may yet get another chance.

 

With the new collaborative agreement he will automatically be an Article XX( Free Agent (Players who had an expired MLB contract last off-season but signed a MiLB contract.) As such he is entitled to an $100K retention bonus if not on the MLB roster or on the DL and has an Automatic June 1st opt out date.

 

The thing is, that he will likely not be ready to pitch competitively by June 1st...

Glad they didn't sign him, I'd rather remember Johan as the stud he was rather than some broken down war horse.

For the Twins to sign some of the pitchers they have this off season, and not get Johan Santana signed and take a chance on him............ it is not encouraging.

Um, what? Please explain.

Not that it looks like he will make an impact anywhere in 2014, but I am curious what offers were there for him. Just based on his history with the club, I think I would have offered him the Rich Harden deal (minor league contract, $1 million base if he makes MLB).

 

I guess Baltimore is a contender, but Minnesota would probably offer a better opportunity to make the club.

• Jon Heyman ‏@JonHeymanCBS 1h
  Johan Santana gets $3M plus performance bonuses on minor-league deal.
   
   
  

Longer story:

 

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/24466097/orioles-close-to-signing-johan-santana

 

 

I have mixed feelings on this. I'd have loved to see Johan in a Twins uni again but it would have bummed me out if he is just a shell of his former self.

That's a lot of money (albeit conditional on him making the MLB roster).

 

Interesting that they say it includes an "invitation to major league spring training" -- he's not nearly ready for that yet, is he? Although the May 20th opt-out date seems pretty aggressive.

He should have signed with a National League team.

Total value could be over $8 million:

 

http://www.mlbdailydish.com/2014/3/4/5469754/orioles-agree-to-sign-johan-santana