Santana seeks $6.8 million from Twins in arbitration

MINNEAPOLIS -- AL Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana asked the Minnesota Twins for a raise to $6.8 million in salary arbitration on Tuesday and was offered $5 million.

Santana went 20-6 with a league-leading 2.61 ERA and 265 strikeouts, helping the Twins win their third straight AL Central title. After the All-Star break, Santana went 13-0 with a 1.21 ERA in 15 starts.

The left-hander lost his arbitration case last year and made $1.6 million instead of his $2.45 million request.

Minnesota also is negotiating with right-handers Carlos Silva and Kyle Lohse, who are both eligible for arbitration for the first time.

Silva went 14-8 with a 4.21 ERA in his first season with the Twins and his first as a major league starter. He is seeking $2,225,000 and the club is offering $1.65 million.

Lohse, who won 27 games over the 2002 and 2003 seasons, went 9-13 with a 5.34 ERA last year. He is seeking $2.4 million and is being offered $2.15 million.

Barring agreements, hearings will take place next month.