In our last episode of As The Santana Turns here at SOX & Dawgs, we looked at some statements from Yankees loudmouth Hank Steinbrenner and how he wasn’t willing to go past a 5 year deal in the extension talks with Johan Santana. So as we press forward here, let’s take a look at the latest news.
I should start out by saying that while none of the news is directly Red Sox related, it does affect the Red Sox because there’s been no word that they are out of the Santana sweepstakes.
Our first news report comes from Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune on Wednesday afternoon who thinks the Mets might be the best fit for the Twins in a trade of Santana.
Ultimately, the Mets might be the best fit.
They have the greatest need. They have the money to sign Santana. And they play in the National League, where he’s less likely to haunt the Twins.
According to people with knowledge of the discussions, the Mets have offered top pitching prospect Deolis Guerra, along with center fielder Carlos Gomez and pitchers Kevin Mulvey and Phil Humber.
The Twins like those players. They’ve told the Mets they’d have a done deal if New York would add prized outfield prospect Fernando Martinez
Then we have this article refuting the Star-Tribune report in the New York Post.
The door is open wide for the Mets New York Mets to land Johan Santana, but the Twins’ asking price is still too high, industry sources told the Post yesterday.
The superstar left-hander could be a perfect fit for the Mets and could land at Shea Stadium, but not for the reported five top prospects, including pitcher Deolis Guerra and outfielders Carlos Gomez and Fernando Martinez.
The Mets are said to be offering 18-year-old Guerra; Gomez, who scouts say will be a star center fielder; right-hander Kevin Mulvey, who rose up the system last season and is expected to make his way to Shea sometime this season and Phil Humber. To get the deal done, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported yesterday, the Mets also would have to throw in Martinez, the jewel of the farm system
And lastly, we have this report from FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal.
The Yankees had pursued Cameron, but their decision to pass on him indicates that they still could be considering a trade for Twins left-hander Johan Santana. They might not have been willing to absorb the salaries of both Cameron and Santana, sources say.
Another source, however, says the Yankees no longer are talking to the Twins about Santana and simply chose to keep their outfield intact rather than sign Cameron. Hank Steinbrenner has been the Yankees’ executive most adamant about landing Santana, but he seemingly has backed off in his most recent public comments.
All I have to say is haven’t we heard once before that the Yankees were out of the talks. Folks, you can bet your last penny that the Yankees are not out of the discussions yet.
As for the Red Sox, I am sure they are content with where they are at in the talks although I’d think they’d like to see some type of deal done soon with Santana so they can move forward with the rest of the roster for the upcoming season.
