TEMPE, Ariz. — Right-hander Ervin Santana and the Angels agreed Saturday to a four-year contract worth about $30 million, a day after their scheduled arbitration hearing was postponed.
The 26-year-old Santana is the youngest active big-league pitcher with at least 50 wins. He rebounded from a subpar season in 2007 to go 16-7 with a 3.49 ERA for the AL West champion Angels last year, striking out a career-high 214 in 219 innings with only 47 walks.
Santana is 51-37 with the Angels, and expects to be a midrotation starter on a staff that includes John Lackey, Joe Saunders and Jered Weaver.
Interest in Griffey grows
ATLANTA — Still seeking a proven bat for the outfield, the Braves say they’re interested in acquiring Ken Griffey Jr.
Atlanta has been looking for more offense from its outfielders, who combined for a major league- low 27 home runs last season.
Recent speculation has suggested Griffey, who has 611 career homers, would return to Seattle.
Footnotes.
Livan Hernandez and the Mets agreed to a minor-league contract, giving the team another pitcher who could compete for the final rotation spot during spring training. With the move, Mets general manager Omar Minaya all but ruled out bringing back Pedro Martinez, a free agent coming off four injury-plagued seasons in New York.
• Outfielder Elijah Dukes, left-handed starter John Lannan and catcher Jesus Flores are among 23 players who agreed to terms on 2009 contracts with the Nationals.
The Associated Press
