Around the Majors: Spring training starts

by
February 15, 2005

1) Pitchers and catchers report today for the Yankees, Nationals and Reds.

2) The Twins re-signed P Johan Santana to a 4 year, $40 million contract, to avoid salary arbitration.

After 2.99 ERA/17 RSAA and 3.07 ERA/27 RSAA seasons, Santana had a 2.61 ERA/54 RSAA in 34 starts. He has a 3.47 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.61, and 86 RSAA in 151 games.

Santana ranked 4th on the Senators/Twins single season RSAA list–

RSAA                          YEAR    RSAA    
1    Walter Johnson           1913       75   
2    Walter Johnson           1912       74   
3    Walter Johnson           1918       56   
4    Johan Santana            2004       54   
5    Bert Blyleven            1973       53   
6    Walter Johnson           1919       52   
T7   Walter Johnson           1910       49   
T7   Walter Johnson           1911       49   
T7   Walter Johnson           1915       49   
10   Frank Viola              1988       45

3) The Devil Rays re-signed P Jorge Sosa to a 1 year, $650,000 contract, to avoid salary arbitration.

After starting his career with 5.53 ERA/-12 RSAA and 4.62 ERA/-1 RSAA seasons, Sosa had a 5.53 ERA/-12 RSAA in 43 games (8 starts). He has a 5.17 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.54, and -25 RSAA in 103 games.

4) The Mets signed P Todd Van Poppel to a minor league contract, with an invitation to spring training.

After 5.45 ERA/-3 RSAA and 5.59 ERA/-6 RSAA seasons, Van Poppel had a 6.09 ERA/-27 RSAA in 48 games (11 starts) with the Reds. He has a 5.58 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.57, and -118 RSAA in 359 games.

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