Published January 21, 2004

The Twins exchanged arbitration figures with three
players Tuesday, and General Manager Terry Ryan said
he will continue to try to negotiate settlements with
all three.

First baseman Doug Mientkiewicz, starter Johan Santana
and reliever J.C. Romero are the Twins' three
arbitration-eligible players.

Mientkiewicz, who made $1.75 million last year, filed
for $3.6 million. The Twins offered $2.5 million.

Santana, who made $335,000 last year, filed for $2.45
million. The Twins offered $1.6 million.

Romero, who made $325,000 last year, filed at
$925,000. The Twins offered $625,000.

If the sides can't come to an agreement before
February, the players' salaries will be determined by
an arbitration panel.

"It will be ongoing negotiations with all three," Ryan
said. "We've been in talks with all three, some deeper
than others. More than often, after we see each
other's numbers, things start to solidify."

Without going into specifics, Mientkiewicz said he has
talked often with Ryan, trying to work a creative
contract that would free up payroll room this year in
exchange for a multi-year deal.

"Terry and I have talked more this winter than we've
talked in three years," Mientkiewicz said. "I've told
Gardy [manager Ron Gardenhire] and Terry, if I can
help, let me know. I will talk to other players, if it
can help us get better.

"I've told them, give me A, then B, to make it work
for 2004. We haven't gotten anywhere."

Jim Souhan


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