The Yankees are currently in talks with the Twins’ about ace Johan Santana. According to Newsday, those talks began before Thanksgiving.
Upgrading the starting rotation, Steinbrenner said, is not an absolute must. But Santana, 28, is perhaps the best pitcher in baseball, and in a different class from any other pitcher potentially available. He is 93-44 in his career with a 3.22 ERA and two Cy Young Awards to his name.
…a few players believed to interest the Twins are righthanders Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, second baseman Robinson Cano, centerfielder Melky Cabrera and perhaps minor-league outfielders Austin Jackson and Jose Tabata. But the Yankees have worked hard to upgrade their farm system and want to hold on to as much of that young talent as possible.
Santana is a special case, though. One source said yesterday that none of the above players would be off-limits in the right deal for Santana. Another source indicated that the Yankees plan to cling hardest to Chamberlain and Cano but that the others might be negotiable. The Twins need a centerfielder, as Torii Hunter signed with the Angels via free agency last week.
If updating the starting rotation isn’t an absolute must, why sell the farm system for a starter than? Regardless, before all the love/hate Yankee comments start rolling in, we should wait to see if the trade plays out. If the Twins can fleece NY for three or four major-league ready players, then even Yankee-haters should laugh at Hank Steinbrenner selling the future for the present. However, if the Twins give him up for a bunch of minor-league prospects then it’s their fault for not getting max value for one of their best players.
Update: The Red Sox are apparently after Santana as well. Why am I not surprised?
