Twins to sign right-handed pitcher Ervin Santana to a four-year contract

Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN - The Minnesota Twins announced today that they will sign free agent right-handed pitcher Ervin Santana to a four-year contract through 2018, with a club option that could vest in 2019.

Santana, 32, made 31 starts for the Braves last season, going 14-10 with a 3.95 ERA (196.0 IP, 86 ER), 63 walks and 179 strikeouts. The San Cristobal, Dominican Republic-native has a career record of 119-100 with a 4.17 ERA (1882.2 IP, 872 ER), 589 walks, 1507 strikeouts and 14 complete games in 299 games (296 starts) for the Los Angeles Angels, Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound right-hander was originally signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Angels in 2000 and was named to the AL All-Star Team in 2008. He has won 10-plus games in six of 10 major league seasons, including a career-high 17 in 2010 with the Angels. Additionally, he has pitched over 200.0 innings in five different seasons.