Santana: The Earlier the Better

Johan Santana told the Twins through ESPNdeportes either sign me now, or I'm gone: "If Minnesota wants to keep me, the earlier the better for a contract negotiation. The closer I get to free agency the more difficult it will be." Santana won his second AL Cy Young award in three years in 2006 going 19-6 with a 2.77 ERA. "I'm happy the way things have gone in Minnesota and I'd like to stay here for a long time, but if I do opt for free agency, my agent will be the one in charge of the next contract," said Santana. "I'm not really concerned with the specifics of what we'd ask for right now, because I've still got two years left with the Twins … but after that, whatever has to happen will happen."