Mets, Santana reach deal
Johan Santana is a money pitcher, and the New York Mets are paying for it.
Santana and the Mets agreed Friday to a $137.5 million, six-year contract, a record for a pitcher and the last major step needed to complete the team’s blockbuster trade with Minnesota.
After the sides were granted an extra two hours to work on a deal, the Mets announced about 30 minutes before the new 7 p.m. EST deadline that negotiations had concluded. The two-time Cy Young Award winner was scheduled to take a physical today.
Terms of the agreement were disclosed by a baseball official with knowledge of the talks who spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made. The deal includes an $18.75 million option for 2014 with a $5.5 million buyout that could make the contract worth $150.75 million over seven seasons.
The acquisition of Santana for four prospects gives New York the durable ace it has sorely lacked while chasing a pennant the past two years.
The Mets came within one win of the World Series in 2006 despite an injury-depleted pitching staff, then missed the playoffs last season after blowing a seven-game lead in the N.L. East with 17 to play.
Now, New York is a National League favorite again. As long as players in the trade pass physicals, Santana will lead a rotation that includes three-time Cy Young Award winner Pedro Martinez, crafty right-hander Orlando Hernandez and a pair of 15-game winners from last season, John Maine and Oliver Perez.
Santana is 93-44 with a 3.22 ERA in eight major league seasons, winning the A.L. Cy Young Award in 2004 and 2006 with the Twins. He has been less successful in the playoffs, going 1-3 with a 3.97 ERA.
The Twins agreed Tuesday to swap Santana for speedy outfielder Carlos Gomez and right-handers Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey and Deolis Guerra.
Knoblauch keeps quiet
Chuck Knoblauch came to Congress toting his toddler, and the former major leaguer met for about 1 1/2 hours with lawyers from a House committee in Washington investigating drug use in baseball.
Knoblauch, the 1991 A.L. Rookie of the Year and one of more than 80 players linked to performance-enhancing drugs in the Mitchell Report, did not reveal what he was asked or what he said.
Asked by a reporter whether there were questions about himself or other players, Knoblauch replied, “I only know about myself.”
“Everything was fine. He answered all the questions,” said Knoblauch’s attorney, Diana Marshall.
He agreed Monday to speak to the committee after a subpoena was issued because he initially failed to respond to an invitation to testify.
Leyritz saga deepens
The woman who was killed when former World Series star Jim Leyritz crashed his SUV into her car had a blood-alcohol level more than twice the legal limit.
According to a toxicology report, 30-year-old Fredia Ann Veitch had a blood-alcohol level of 0.18. Florida’s legal limit is 0.08. Leyritz’s blood-alcohol content three hours after the crash was 0.14 percent.
Leyritz, 44, pleaded not guilty Thursday to a recently added charge of DUI manslaughter by unlawful blood-alcohol levels.
Leyritz faces 15 years in prison if convicted.
“It doesn’t affect the cause of the crash because he ran a red light,” assistant state attorney Stefanie Newman said.
Clearing the bases
Third baseman Casey Blake avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $6.1 million, one-year contract with the Cleveland Indians. … The Los Angeles Dodgers avoided arbitration with Joe Beimel, agreeing to a $1,925,000, one-year contract with the left-handed reliever. … Free-agent first baseman Sean Casey reached a preliminary agreement on an $800,000, one-year contract with the Boston Red Sox.