Johan Santana‘s path back to the big leagues won’t be an easy one. The 34-year-old lefty inked a one-year, $3 million minor league deal with the Orioles this week and is hoping to contribute in Baltimore by June after returning from his second shoulder capsule surgery since 2011.
“I don’t want to go out in the game like that,” Santana told MASNSports.com’s Roch Kubatko on Wednesday. “I want to go out of the game on my own terms.”
Santana says he intends to be a starter for the Orioles, but I’d bet his time in the rotation has come to an end. Still, assuming he’s healthy, having a two-time Cy Young Award winner who led the majors in ERA and strikeouts from 2004 to 2010 in your bullpen is pretty nice.
ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick reports that Santana can earn up to $5.05 million in incentives, here’s how they break down:
Santana can earn $2.1 million in bonuses based on days on the active 25-man roster: $250,000 for 30, $350,000 for 60, $500,000 for 90 and $1 million for 120. He can make $2.95 million based on starts: $250,000 for five, $350,000 for 10, $500,000 for 15, $750,000 for 20, $150,000 each for 21 and 22, $200,000 apiece for 23 and 24, and $400,000 for 25.
He has additional award bonuses for All-Star selection, and winning a Gold Glove and the Comeback Player of the Year and league championship series and World Series MVP awards.
Santana would get $100,000 if he is released before March 25. He would be able to opt out of the deal if he isn’t added to the major league roster by May 30.
Image Credit: Eduardo A. Encina on Twitter
Sure would be great if he could prove he can be an effective starter again….