Choose your Santana bounty

by Stephcaflowne on Dec 2, 2007 8:55 PM EST Comment 40 comments

The Yankees have set a deadline of Monday for the Twins to accept or decline their offer of Hughes, Cabrera, and a mid-level prospect. They have made it clear that the third prospect cannot be Ian Kennedy, Alan Horne, Dellin Betances, Austin Jackson, or Jose Tabata.

The Red Sox have given a choice between Ellsbury and Lester but not both. It's either Ellsbury, Lowrie, Masterson/Bowden or Lester, Crisp, Lowrie, Masterson/Bowden.

Hughes is the best prospect of the bunch but the Twins could really use a CF and middle IF of the quality of Ellsbury and Lowrie. If you're the Twins, which deal do you take, if any?

Poll

Which package do you accept, if you're the Twins GM?

Yankees: Hughes, Cabrera, mid-level prospect (Jeff Marquez/Kevin Whelan/Alberto Gonzalez)

88 votes

Red Sox: Ellsbury, Lowrie, Masterson/Bowden

69 votes

Red Sox: Lester, Crisp, Lowrie, Masterson/Bowden

49 votes

Other: Hold onto Santana/look for deals elsewhere

59 votes

265 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 40 comments

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Comments

deadline

is that ultimatum as firm as the yankees stance that they would not negotiate with A-Rod if he opted out?

by McLovin on Dec 2, 2007 8:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Haha, true.

The Yankees are the boy who cried wolf.

by Stephcaflowne on Dec 2, 2007 8:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not sure how accurate this is...

but "major league sources" have reported that Santana told the Twins he would use his no trade clause if they waited until the trade deadline.

by Stephcaflowne on Dec 2, 2007 8:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

actually

It doesn't apply during that time. The issue is that Santana is not willing to negotiate an extension during the season.

God rested one day out of 7, Felix rests 4 out of 5.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Dec 2, 2007 9:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Don't agree

It's a question of interpretation, I know, but the common interpretation around here (MN) is that Santana has a full no-trade clause for the duration of his contract. That has been confirmed by our beat writers from both Santana's agent and the Twins front office.

He has said he will only waive it this offseason, and then only to the team that will meet his contract demands.

cmathewson

by cmathewson on Dec 2, 2007 9:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm a Twins fan...

and I'm begging for Bill Smith to go for a trade with Ellsbury and Lowrie as the centerpiece. Hughes is nice, but we just aren't that desperate for pitching.

We could plug Ellsbury in at center, Lowrie at short, Harris at second or third, and then use either Buscher or Casilla to fill the remaining infield hole. That would immensely help our lineup, and we could demote Nick Punto to coaching t-ball or something.

by BenB on Dec 2, 2007 9:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

so u would be willing

to walk into a season with liriano-baker-bonser-perkins-slowey?

thats a young rotation and u wont compete in 08 ill tell u that...

--http://yankeesfuture.wordpress.com Bobby Mcnally (alias)

by bobbymcnally on Dec 2, 2007 9:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

those guys are all older than Hughes...

And I sure would go into next season with that rotation. We won't be contending in '08 anyway.

by BenB on Dec 2, 2007 9:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

but if u keep santana

u have a rotation of two aces, and basically the same lineup...that would be a good team

--http://yankeesfuture.wordpress.com Bobby Mcnally (alias)

by bobbymcnally on Dec 2, 2007 9:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

but the whole point of this poll

is what package you would want for Santana, assuming he's going to get traded. And I would want the package from the Red Sox.

by BenB on Dec 2, 2007 9:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not the same line-up

The Twins have holes in center, third and short. If they traded Santana for a center fielder (Ellsbury) and a short stop (Lowrie) and they trade Nathan for a third baseman (LaRoche), they would have a formidable line-up. Then the question is, how do they make up for losing their ace and closer in the offseason? That's why their asking for a major league pitcher in addition to the position players they need. Will they get everything hey want? No. But they might come close.

cmathewson

by cmathewson on Dec 2, 2007 9:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

except

The Twins have almost no impact hitting prospects in the upper levels, and the lower levels don't look a whole lot better. Whereas we have a stockpile of arms that could reach the majors within the next year or two. So I think they should trade for young hitting talent and take care of pitching in house. As for the closer, Neshek is pretty much ready to step in when Nathan leaves.

by BenB on Dec 2, 2007 9:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My take

First, It is ridiculous to believe that these are the only two teams that can make a deal for him and sign him. This poll is the definition of East Coast Bias.

Second, all of this speculation is making my head spin. Looks to me that the Twins are playing the Yanks and Sox hard. Anyone wanna bet that there might be a mystery 3rd team come into the picture to raise the stakes more?

Remember: baseball guys... baseball...

by Metty5 on Dec 2, 2007 9:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I agree

There are whispers that the Dodgers made an offer for Santana, but I've also read that Kershaw and Loney are off-limits. Makes me think that Kemp, LaRoche, and Hu are possibilities.

by tpeichel34 on Dec 2, 2007 9:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My take is...

The Red Sox and Yankees are the only ones who have offered anything close to what the Twins want. So they're the front runners right now. But if Coletti jumped in with an offer of Kemp, LaRoche and Billingsly or Broxton, the Twins would probably jump at it.

cmathewson

by cmathewson on Dec 2, 2007 9:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

East coast bias

There's been talk that Santana doesn't want to go to the west coast and would use his NTC.

You're right... The Dodgers seem like the perfect fit with young position players to spare and lots of money. If they made a deal for him, I doubt Santana would turn down the money just to stay away from L.A.

Right now, though, the only known offers have come from the Sox and Yanks.

by Stephcaflowne on Dec 2, 2007 9:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

for some reason

i could see the mets jumping in with a great offer, e.g. Martinez, Pelfrey, to start.

by Travis G on Dec 2, 2007 10:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

pff

More crying. East Coast Bias... wah wah wah...

God rested one day out of 7, Felix rests 4 out of 5.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Dec 2, 2007 10:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm from NY

Its just a limited poll.

You really have issues that need to be worked out. I'm dead serious, it is only the internet but grow up.

Remember: baseball guys... baseball...

by Metty5 on Dec 2, 2007 10:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: grow up

He's only 5'4"

by TINSTAAPP on Dec 2, 2007 10:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Nope

Once again you're wrong, but hel, what would you expect from a dip with TINSTAPP as his name.

God rested one day out of 7, Felix rests 4 out of 5.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Dec 2, 2007 11:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps then

You should check out hooked on Phonics. There's an option for neither. There have only been two realistic options thus far, Boston and NY, why toss on someoen like LA, Seattle or Anaheim into the poll when they aren't realistic suitors? The third option covers them fine.

God rested one day out of 7, Felix rests 4 out of 5.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Dec 2, 2007 10:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

looks like the east coat bias is Santana's

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=MLB&id=2993&line=2 26902&spln=1
"In addition to telling the Twins that he won't accept an in-season trade, Johan Santana informed the team he's only willing to waive his no-trade clause to go to the Yankees or Red Sox, the Providence Journal reports."

by Stephcaflowne on Dec 3, 2007 1:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

WTF

does the Providence Journal know I didn't know they had such inside sources.

1941 .406

by FrozenTed9 on Dec 3, 2007 1:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

LA

why does everyone mention LA as part of the competitors and then say they would offer:

Kemp + Laroche
or
Kershaw + Kemp

etc.

to compete?

I don't see Boston offering Buchholz & Ellsbury and I don't see NY offering Hughes & Joba. So why should LA go crazy and double their offers?

by pedrophile on Dec 2, 2007 11:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

seriously though

everyone thinks the Dodgers have young players to SPARE.

uhh..no they don't. Kemp, Loney, Laroche, Billingsley and etc are all going to be integral parts to next year's big league team.

The only one they have to "spare", as in, not really going to affect 2008, is Kershaw.

But he isn't really a spare part.

by npurcell on Dec 3, 2007 12:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

and why would they give away guys "just cause" they are not the Yankees or Sox?

The only reason, IMO, Minnesota is not playing LA into the mix is that if they are in the mix both Boston and NY have less vested in the proceedings. Either team would be ok seeing LA get Santana.

Boston doesn't want to see NY get Santana unless NY gives up either Hughes or Joba. NY doesn't want to see Boston get Santana under any circumstance. Although trading Buch would lessen the blow.

But if LA is in it than both teams wouldn't feel the need to press. And trading Hughes or Buchholz + players + 25 million per year is definitely pressing.

by pedrophile on Dec 3, 2007 12:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Nailed it

On LA

God rested one day out of 7, Felix rests 4 out of 5.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Dec 3, 2007 1:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Twins should.....

If this is the Yankees best offer, I'd pass. Either that or tell them that they don't want Cabrera. Cuz the Yankees seem to be valuing Melky a lot higher than the Twins. I'd rather grab a guy like Kennedy or Jackson than Cabrera.

It seems like the Yankees feel that Cabrera is an important piece to give up, so if I'm the Twins, I'd say I'd like to see a package w/o Melky and see what they can get.

by BaseballBrain on Dec 3, 2007 8:18 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Twins just lost a lot of leverage

Pettitte is coming back. Yankees need to move on.

Todd Frazier for President

by FrazierFan on Dec 3, 2007 9:09 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Oh my God

Yankees should pull out of the Santana deal now. Pettitte is back, and because of this Yanks players will be getting sizing for their 2008 World Series rings today. Who needs Santana now when our hero is back and just like last year will show how dominating he is. Now they just gotta convince Clemens to come back and they will be set not just for this year but for the next few years to come

by dlpme77 on Dec 3, 2007 9:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I hope....

...this is tongue in cheek.

by BaseballBrain on Dec 3, 2007 9:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

hmm

I thought the last sentence gave it away :)

by dlpme77 on Dec 3, 2007 9:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I thought so...

...but the delusion of some NYY fans knows no bounds.

by BaseballBrain on Dec 3, 2007 10:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Uh huh

What do comments like that add?

Todd Frazier for President

by FrazierFan on Dec 3, 2007 11:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Its so true

Please, As a met fan i can tell you that Met Fans and Yankee Fans alike are ridiculous. Listen to WFAN 660 for about 30 minutes and the callers will have you pulling your hair our and yelling at the radio.

There are many who are informed, but that doesn't make us any less crazy.

Remember: baseball guys... baseball...

by Metty5 on Dec 3, 2007 11:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I live in New England

Red Sox fans are just as bad, if not worse.

And Jerry Remy is one of them.

by MontrealMets on Dec 3, 2007 10:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

not much less

than your comment stating the Yanks should give up on Santana just because Pettitte resigned. Yanks office new he would be back; I personally had no doubt as Pettitte and Clemens seem to have this feeling about drawing suspense. :)

by dlpme77 on Dec 3, 2007 11:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Looking closely at the offers

Even though Hughes is the best player offered in any of the deals, if the Sox are offering Ellsbury/Lowrie/Masterson, I think the Twins need to go with that offer.

Maybe that's because I'm not a Melky fan at all, but Ellsbury and Lowrie gives them an A/A- prospect and a B+ prospect. Masterton too could be a B+ but probably a B. Just as importantly, Ellsbury and Lowrie would fill two major needs for them.

I'm surprised the Yanks aren't stepping up to include Kennedy or Jackson, because otherwise the Sox offer seems clearly better.

by BaseballBrain on Dec 3, 2007 10:43 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

If I'm the Red Sox

I'd hope the Lester/Lowrie/Crisp/prospect four-piece chicken dinner's enough to get it done. No reason to trade Ellsbury unless you're at gunpoint... which they're clearly not.

"...and the only things I've found better than listening to Vin Scully are listening to Keith Jackson and uncut cocaine." (bleedjaxblue)

by drjayphd on Dec 3, 2007 12:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs