Johan

Santana

He pitched 15 scoreless innings in his two victories last week. The truth is, we’re getting bored of telling you how good Santana is.

He was 6-0 in August with a 2.08 ERA. Santana is now the favorite to win the AL Cy Young award. He has been the best pitcher in the league since June.

Probably not the last award Santana will win this year. Santana received 89 of the 90 first-place votes. Melvin Mora and Bobby Abreu were the runners-up.

Santana has no wins or saves, but has struck out 16 and allowed just seven hits and three walks. He’ll be in the rotation the first time there’s an opening. He’s worth owning, at least on reserve, in all leagues.

Santana will be eligible for free agency following the 2006 season, so he might not be interested in anything more than a two-year deal. For 2005, he’s due to more than triple his 2004 salary of $1.6 million in arbitration.

Roy Halladay received $42 million over four years after his Cy Young season. Santana certainly won’t settle for less.

Asked if $25 million over three years would interest him, Santana replied, ''That you would have to think about.’' The two sides may focus on a one-year deal for now and worry about a multiyear pact later.

A $25 million offer wasn’t bad considering that Santana is only due about $6 million in his second year of arbitration. Still, he isn’t eager to give up a year of free agency. If he can stay healthy the next two years, he’ll probably make at least $15 million-$16 million per season as a free agent.

Santana took the news in stride, but this is just another case of the Twins holding him back. In 2002, he wasn’t even given a chance to win a bullpen spot out of spring training. In 2003, the team wouldn’t let him compete for a place in the rotation. When he’s been allowed to take the mound, he’s been significantly more effective than Radke three years running. Although there’s been talk of a three-year deal, we’re guessing Santana is going to bolt at the first opportunity. He’ll be eligible for free agency after 2006.

If Santana reaches certain performance levels by the end of the third year of the deal, then the limited no-trade escalates in the fourth year of the deal. Santana’s contract is expected to become official this week. GM Terry Ryan said that an extensive MRI exam on Santana’s arm came back clean.