MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins and American League Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana avoided arbitration Monday after reaching an agreement on a new four-year contract through the 2008 season.
The deal is pending until Santana takes a physical later Monday. Terms of the contract were not immediately known.
"It gives me the security that we want," Santana said from Fort Myers, Fla. "But also you feel more comfortable that you're going to be with the team for a few more years. That's what I've been looking for."
Santana was 20-6 with an AL-leading 2.61 ERA in 2004, including a dominating 13-0 mark and 1.21 ERA after the All-Star break. He also led the league with 265 strikeouts and was unanimously elected to receive the Cy Young Award.
The 25-year-old pitcher, who made $1.6 million last season after losing his arbitration case, was scheduled to return to arbitration against the club Tuesday.