Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson told Sports Headliners it’s “disappointing but I guess that’s the nature of the game” when asked recently about the Johan Santana situation. If the long anticipated deal of trading Santana to another team happens, Anderson understands. “I can’t see how you can pay one-third of the payroll for one player,” he said.
It’s a guess as to exactly how much money the two-time Cy Young award winner can command from a new team but it could be $25 million a year. Santana, of course, is a free agent after this season and the Twins aren’t likely to pay that kind of money. Speculation is the team’s payroll will be $70 to $80 million.
A trade means rebuilding the starting staff after losing the 28-year-old Santana, arguably baseball’s best pitcher, plus 2007 starter Carlos Silva who as a free agent has departed for Seattle. Santana has won 70 games the last four seasons with an ERA under 3.00 in three of those years.
Anderson, regarded as a superb pitching coach, said with humor the situation in spring training without Santana could “test his patience” while searching through his options. He also said general manager Bill Smith told him that any Santana deal must include a starting pitcher coming here.
Anderson likes competition and figures to see plenty of it among his potential starters in spring training. He talked about “relying on young kids” and “on the job training.” In the mix will be 2006 sensation Francisco Liriano who rehabilitated last season from elbow surgery but will have “no limitations” going into spring training, according to Anderson. The 24-year-old Liriano was 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA in 2006.
Boof Bonser was a starter last season, with an 8-12 record and 5.10 ERA. His conditioning was questioned but Anderson reported the 26-year-old has lost 20 pounds and “worked his tail off” to get in shape for the 2008 season. The 6-foot-4 Bonser was listed at 260 pounds in last season’s Twins media guide.
Scott Baker, 26, and Kevin Slowey, 23, started games last season and were among the names mentioned by Anderson as possible starters in 2008. He added that former Gopher pitcher Glen Perkins might figure in the competition for starting pitching, although his assignment was only in relief last season.
Anderson said the “strength” of the pitching staff is the bullpen. He anticipates having closer Joe Nathan, who is a free agent after next season, with the Twins in 2008. He said Nathan, one of baseball’s best relief pitchers, “makes the whole bullpen much better.”