Twins agree to four-year, $40M deal with Santana

Santana has had some injury concerns -- surgery to clean up bone chips in his elbow before last season and leg cramps that have limited him from time to time. But Ryan said there were no red flags, and Santana said his health is fine.

"You take everything into consideration," Ryan said. "He's a very professional young man. He's very humble. Obviously, he's going to get a lot more attention ... I just think this is one of those spots where Johan is ready to take on some of that responsibility."

Unrest in Venezuela made it important for Santana to seek protection in the mountain town of Tovar Merida after his Cy Young season.

Baseball players -- because of the sport's popularity and their known wealth -- have often been targeted by criminals in that country, so Santana hired five bodyguards for him and his family.

"Just to be protected," Santana said. "Also things were crazy, too. Everywhere you go, people would jump at you. They're all so happy and excited, but you can put yourself at risk."

After the season Santana had, the Twins' risk was to let him go another winter without a deal.

"With what he's accomplished on the field and the type of human being he is, on the field and off the field, I think he's ready for those types of responsibilities," Ryan said.