Laberecke » after a break from Mickey Higham.No 8

MINNEAPOLIS - The Minnesota Twins and free-agent right-hander Ervin Santana were working Thursday to finalize a four-year, $55 million contract, according to two people with direct knowledge of the deal.The agreement was reached in San Diego at baseballs winter meetings. The two people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract had not yet been signed. Included in Santanas guarantee is a $1 million buyout of a fifth-year option on the deal.The Twins again brought a need for better starting pitching into the off-season, and Santana has been one of the steadiest around. Over the last five years, Santana averaged 12 wins, 207 innings and 164 strikeouts while making 30 or more starts each season. The Twins pursued him a year ago, but he held out until March and signed with Atlanta for one season and $14.1 million.Santana, who turns 32 Friday, was 14-10 with a 3.95 ERA in 31 starts for the Braves last year.The Twins spent aggressively on starting pitching last winter, signing free agents Ricky Nolasco ($49 million), Phil Hughes ($24 million) and Mike Pelfrey ($11 million), who had previously joined the team for 2013 on a one-year deal. Nolasco was given the richest contract for a free agent in Twins history.The Twins have had the worst collective ERA by their starting pitchers in the major leagues the last two seasons (5.06 in 2014 and 5.26 in 2013), and only the Colorado Rockies were higher than their 5.40 mark in 2012. Hughes was a major upgrade for the group last year, posting a 3.52 ERA and a 16-10 record with 186 strikeouts in 209 2-3 innings. But other than Kyle Gibson, who was up and down in his second season in the majors, the Twins offered little resistance to hitters around the rest of the league. Nolasco struggled badly in his first year.General manager Terry Ryan said last week that the rotation was the priority for yet another winter.Weve had a struggle on the mound so well continue to look at pitching first, Ryan said.Santana was picked for the All-Star game in 2008, his fourth of eight seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, who traded him to the Kansas City Royals for 2013. Because Santana turned down a qualifying offer from the Braves, his signing comes with draft-pick compensation. The Twins must forfeit their second-round selection next year.With Santana, Hughes, Gibson and Nolasco in line for the first four spots, Pelfrey will likely compete in spring training with prospects Trevor May and Alex Meyer for the fifth slot in the rotation with Tommy Milone also in the mix. Santana has made three career starts at Target Field, going 2-0 with a 3.10 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 20 1-3 innings.___AP Sports Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report from San Diego. Denis Savard Jersey . The Oilers will try to get back in the win column on Monday when they continue a four-game road trip with a battle against the Buffalo Sabres. Edmonton won its third straight game last Wednesday against visiting San Jose, beating the Sharks 3-0 as Scrivens stopped 59 shots to set an NHL record for saves in a regular-season shutout. Jeremy Roenick Jersey . - Chelseas 1-0 win at the Etihad, spoiling Manchester Citys perfect home record continues to be the talking point of the week. http://www.officialblackhawksauthority.com/bobby-orr-blackhawks-jersey-c-25/ . The Cavs announced the move Saturday, one day after LeBron James said hes returning to Cleveland. A 12-year veteran, Haywood has played in 794 NBA games, averaging 6. Custom Chicago Blackhawks Jerseys . His Chicago Blackhawks teammates werent shocked when he found it. Kanes career has been defined by his brilliance in the Blackhawks biggest moments, and his tiebreaking goal with 3:45 to play in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals will rank among the best. Clark Griswold Jersey . -- Former NHL star Jeremy Roenick shot a second-round 69 to take the lead after 36 holes and former LPGA great Annika Sorenstam and Chad Pfeifer, who lost his left leg above the knee serving in Iraq, are among several players in contention in the American Century Championship tournament on Saturday.Rugby league returns to St James Park for the second successive year, with six matches taking place across Saturday and Sunday, and you can watch every minute live on Sky Sports. Weve rounded up the best efforts from all the Magic Weekends and are now putting it to you to pick your favourite. Watch the videos below to see the contenders - including Justin Carneys efforts in 2014 and Jarrod Sammuts stunner back in 2010 - then vote in the poll below... No 1: David Hodgsons winner for Hull KR We look back at David Hodgsons match-winning try for Hull KR against Hull FC in 2012 Hull KR were running out of time at the Etihad Stadium back in 2012 against their fierce rivals Hull FC. The Rovers started the last set of the games almost under their posts and some lovely offloading and quick hands gave Hodgson the space to show his pace and go over in the corner to clinch the win. No 2: Jordan Tanseys controversial try Take a look at Jordan Tanseys controversial try for Leeds against Bradford in 2007 With Bradford leading 38-36 in 2007, and less than a minute to play, referee Steve Ganson awarded a penalty to Leeds for offside. Kevin Sinfield lined up 40 metres out on the left touchline and let fly. The kick looked good before falling just short, eventually hitting the bar - but Jordan Tansey followed up and touched down. Despite Tansey being in front of the kicker, the four-pointer was awarded. Cue pandemonium, and a Sinfield cartwheel to boot!No 3: Sleight of hand from Sam Tomkins Watch Sam Tomkins try for Wigan v Saints in 2012 Wigan were in fine form in their Magic Weekend clash with fierce rivals St Helens in 2012 and were 16-0 up after 20 minutes - and it only got worse for Saints. Full-back Tomkins took the ball just on the half-way line, and threw it up as if he was going to pass to Harrison Hansen, who was coming in at pace on the inside. However, it was misdirection of the highest order as Tomkins regathered and then turned on the afterburners to cut through Wigans defence and score in the corner. No 4: McGillvary and Brough deny Dragons Watch Huddersfields stunning late show against Catalans in 2015 Jermaine McGillvary and Danny Brough snatched a dramatic 22-22 draw for Huddersfield against Catalans at the 2015 Magic Weekend. The Giants kept the ball alive before working it out wide to McGillvary, who used his pace and power to touch down in the corner, with Brough nailing the touchline conversion.No 5: Joe Burgess races 60m to score for Wigan Watch Joe Burgess try for Wigan against Leeds in 2015 Warriors full-back Matty Bowen had a storming game against Leeds in 2015 and was named man of the match for his performance, which included a brace of tries.dddddddddddd He also set up this blinder for Burgess - after fielding a kick deep in his half, he passed to Burgess who cut inside the Rhinos defence to score. No 6: Sammuts stunner for Crusaders Watch Jarrod Sammuts try in the Crusaders win over Bradford in 2010 Jarrod Sammut shows great hands and kicking skills to score a fantastic try in the Celtic Crusaders 19-0 win over Bradford Bulls at Murrayfield in 2010.No 7: Adrian Morley scores for Warrington Take a look back at Adrian Morleys try for Warrington against St Helens in 2013 Back in 2013, Warrington produced a superb performance to beat St Helens 48-22 at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester. One of the tries of the game was when Adrian Morley scored a cracking effort after a break from Mickey Higham.No 8: Graham Beecroft gets soaked Watch Graham Beecroft get a soaking during an interview with Widnes skipper Kevin Brown in 2014 The moment Graham Beecroft got a soaking in 2014, during an interview with Widnes skipper Kevin Brown after the Vikings had beaten Salford 30-24.No 9: The Tank on the Flank Watch Castlefords Justin Carney power over for a try against Wakefield in 2014 Castlefords Justin Carney displayed incredible strength to fight off four Wakefield defenders and score at the 2014 Magic Weeeknd. The Tigers winger finished with two tries as Cas ran out 50-12 victors.No 10: McGuires five-star showDanny McGuire scored an incredible five tries as Leeds maintained their unbeaten record at Magic Weekend with a 37-22 victory over Bradford Bulls at Manchesters Etihad Stadium in 2012. Watch Danny McGuires fifth try for Leeds Rhinos against Bradford Bulls in 2012 Also See: Get Magic Weekend tickets Rugby League on Sky Fixtures and results Follow @SkySportsRL ' ' '