The Johan Santana speculation officially ended with the left-hander signing a minor-league deal with the Orioles while trying to make a comeback from major arm problems.

If the Twins were trying to get the band back together this offseason (Jason Kubel ... Jason Bartlett ... Matt Guerrier), this is the equivalent of the leader opting out.

And you know what? It's probably for the best.

Sure, Santana might eventually rediscover lightning in a bottle (or at least a left arm), but at his age and with his injury history it's a long shot. The Twins need to load up on the future instead of the past.

Let's remember Santana for his brilliance in the mid-2000s instead of hoping he can do it again a decade later.