Ricky Nolasco and Phil Hughes will be newcomers in the Twins’ starting rotation next season, but Minnesota apparently isn’t done trying to bring in more arms to bolster what was the worst starting rotation in all of Major League Baseball last season.
The New York Daily News is reporting that left-hander Johan Santana could reunite with the Twins.
The Minnesota Twins remain a real possibility for former Mets ace Johan Santana, according to major league sources. Santana began his major league career with the Twins, who traded him to New York prior to the 2008 season.
Santana, 34 and trying to return from his second major shoulder surgery, has drawn interest from approximately 12 teams, according to a source. He has not decided whether to schedule a showcase for teams.
The Twins have continued to discuss Santana internally, remained in contact with his representatives, and still see a reunion as possible.
Santana was traded from the Twins to the Mets in 2008. He spent the last six seasons in New York seemingly pitching well or spending time on the disabled list.
Aaron Gleeman of NBC Sports says signing Santana is a “huge question mark” because he’s 34-years-old and missed all of last season with a shoulder injury.
The last time Santana was fully healthy he went 11-9 with a really nice 2.98 earned-run average… but that was in 2010. During his time with the Twins he won the American League Cy Young Award twice (2004, 2006).
As of now, the starting rotation will likely include Nolasco, Hughes, Kevin Correia and Mike Pelfrey. With just one spot remaining, the competition looks to be between Scott Diamond, Samuel Deduno, Vance Worley and Kyle Gibson. MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger writes that Deduno is the front-runner to win the job.
