Red Sox Front Runners for Santana
UPDATE: The Boston Herald is saying the Twins were satisfied with Lester's medical records paving the way for an agreement. But, the Herald also notes that potentially 2 different packages are on the table that the Twins can pick from. The article doesn't make one feel that a deal is a definite, but rather a hurdle has been cleared.
ESPN's Buster Olney reported overnight that the Red Sox have emerged as the front runners to land Johan Santana. The biggest clue Olney provided is that the Minnesota Twins asked to look at the medical records of Jon Lester.
If the Twins have settled on Lester as opposed to Jacoby Ellsbury, expect the deal to be Johan Santana in exchange for Jon Lester, Jed Lowrie, Coco Crisp and either Justin Masterson or Michael Bowden.
Also expect the Red Sox to get together with Santana's representatives to start work on a contract extension. 72 hours is generally the window of time alloted for such things.
Red Sox fans, please understand that the Red Sox aren't a team that will sign just any deal. If Santana's reps want too much money and/or too many years, don't be surprised to see the Red Sox say "no thanks." In other words, should the Twins accept the Red Sox offer, the job is only half done, so don't get your hopes up.
Here is the take of some other media outlets, none of whom seem quite as sure the Red Sox/Twins deal is a lock.
Fox Sports' Ken Rostenthal characterized the situation as the Red Sox are back in the hunt, but not necessarily the lead dog.
SI.Com's Jon Heyman says that the Yankees and Twins are at in impasse and the Twins asked the Red Sox to present an offer centered around Jon Lester. If Hank Steinbrenner is to be believed, the Yankees should no longer be in the running.
Hank's word will be tested if you believe what Tyler Kepner of the New York Times reported this morning, that the Yankees/Twins deal has a "flicker of life."
Comments
Daily News is reporting the Sox are offering Jon Lester, Jacoby Ellsbury, Coco Crisp and Jed Lowrie. If so, let them have him, delplete their system and their major league cener fielder.
Posted by: Grant | December 4, 2007 10:39 AM |
Interesting point from Buster Olney:
"Without Santana, the Yankees would go into next season with essentially the same rotation that they had in the second half of the 2007 season, in which they went 51-25."
Posted by: ian | December 4, 2007 12:23 PM |
Grant, I would be surprised if the Red Sox gave up both Crisp and Ellsbury. I just checked the NY Daily News site and can't find that. Then again things are changing quickly.
Back to your point, that would be a dumb trade for Boston.
Ian, that is a good point. I think where lacking a true #1 really hurts is the playoffs. Getting there is a great accomplishment to be sure, but advancing is tougher and I think the Yankees would rather have Santana than Wang starting game 1.
Posted by: andy![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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December 4, 2007 12:32 PM
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from the winter meetings and Peter Gammons:
12:50 p.m., from Peter Gammons
• The Twins and Red Sox are supposed to meet this afternoon to continue discussions on the Johan Santana deal. Sources indicate the Twins are still trying to decide between a 3-for-1 trade for center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, infielder Jed Lowrie and pitching prospect Justin Masterson and a 4-for-1 swap that substitutes lefty starter Jon Lester and center fielder Coco Crisp for Ellsbury.
Posted by: blmeanie | December 4, 2007 04:41 PM |
With the Tigers trading for Cabrera and Willis, the Angels have prospects to spare and I would not be surprised to see them get Santana.
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December 4, 2007 07:38 PM
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