Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press is reporting that Johan Santana could finally be traded within the next 10 days. The reason for the holdup is not the Twins or any of the three teams involved but rather Santana’s contract demands.
The Mets, who dearly want Santana, have told at least one free-agent pitcher hoping to sign with them to wait until they find out whether they can acquire the two-time Cy Young Award winner. The Twins, as they should, continue to insist that slugging young outfielder Fernando Martinez, the Mets’ top minor league prospect, be included in any deal.
“Martinez will show how badly the Mets want Santana,” one insider said.
The Red Sox haven’t moved much from their initial offer for Santana. But one minor leaguer who some would consider a throw-in by Boston – left-handed hitting outfielder Ryan Kalish – could become an important part of a deal. Francisco Liriano, remember, was considered a throw-in when the San Francisco Giants included him in the Twins’ trade for Joe Nathan.
That free agent pitcher the Mets are considering signing if the Santana deal doesn’t happen with the Mets is Livan Hernandez.
Buster Olney is also reporting that the Red Sox have taken Jon Lester off the table. This means the Twins are focused on the deal that centered around Jacoby Ellsbury.
I am not a big fan of the Sox trading Ellsbury at all. And as time has gone by with this whole saga, I am not so sure the Red Sox need the added payroll of Santana. Yes they will need to replace Curt Schilling and most likely Tim Wakefield after the 2008 season but with the amount of pitching they have in the minors plus Lester and Clay Buchholz, the Sox should be just fine. The crop of free agent pitchers after the 2008 season isn’t the greatest but I think the Sox would be better served in the long run by not acquiring Santana.
Don’t get me wrong, it would be great to see a rotation of Josh Beckett, Santana, Matsuzaka, Buchholz and Lester would be great. But at the cost to the Red Sox, I just don’t feel it’s worth it especially losing a player with Ellsbury’s talents.
Also don’t forget one thing. Even if the teams agree to the pieces of puzzle, Santana and his agent need to workout an extension on his contract to finish off the deal.
Hopefully this rumor proves true and this whole saga is over in the next 10 days or so, especially with spring training just under 18 days away.
