Blue Jays History: 11 years ago, Toronto signed Johan Santana to a minor league deal
On February 26, 2015, the Jays signed left-hander Johan Santana to a minor league deal, with the veteran pitcher earning $2.5 million if he made the Opening Day roster and additional game-day bonuses.
#OTD Eleven years ago, the Toronto Blue Jays signed two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana as a free agent. Photo: Toronto Blue Jays
Santana hadn’t appeared on a big league mound since 2012 due to injuries that kept him on the sidelines in 2013 and 2014.
A shoulder ailment would force the Venezuelan player to the sidelines to start the 2015 season, and he would not pitch for the Jays in affiliate action in Buffalo. A toe infection in mid-summer ended his comeback and eventual career, and the veteran pitcher called it a career in 2018.
The left-hander is a two-time Cy Young Award winner, three-time ERA leader, four-time All-Star and won the Triple Crown in 2006. He spent eight seasons with the Minnesota Twins and finished his career with the New York Mets, where he spent four seasons in the NL East.
Santana finished his career with a 3.20 ERA, 8.8 K/9, 3.44 FIP and a 1.132 WHIP.
Although the veteran arm did not win a World Series title, he was inducted into the Twins Hall of Fame in 2018 and in Cooperstown in 2022 with 81% of the vote.
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