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Yankees will not change their offer

December
4

Just spoke to a Yankees Exec Who Can Be Trusted and learned this:

The Y.E.W.C.B.T said that Brian Cashman has made his final offer and will not toss in Ian Kennedy, Alan Horne or Austin Jackson. That would seem to favor the Red Sox but the Dodgers and Angels are now getting in the mix with the Yankees on the outskirts.

This hillbilly nightmare The Winter Meetings end on Thursday morning, so there is little chance that Santana will be officially traded by then given that a contract extension would have to be negotiated.

The Yankees, for all of the deadline talk, remain open to the Twins coming back to them. But the Twins seem to love Jon Lester and aren’t crazy about Melky Cabrera.

Yankees fans in general put too much value on Cabrera. He’s a nice player but he has a career OPS of .728. Outside of his arm, he’s at best an average center fielder. I think he’s fine with the Yankees hitting eighth or ninth. But it’s not like he’s a budding star.

These GMs get paid to evaluate talent. If Minnesota likes Boston’s package, that is their choice.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 4th, 2007 at 2:31 pm by Peter Abraham.
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322 Responses to “Yankees will not change their offer”

  1. JGNYC

    The Melk-Man delivers!!!

  2. Mike R.

    “The YEWCBT ” LOL
    Classic

  3. Mike

    The Twins are dumb if they make this trade without Ellsbury or Bucholtz. This is highway robbery. It’s funny that the Yankees have to give up the farm but not the Red Sox.

  4. Chicago Dave

    The Dodgers minor league talent could certainly trump what Boston has to offer. I think the Angels are saving their chips for Cabrera.

  5. The_Kiid

    plain and simple pete

    cabrera > coco

    his offense is improving, he’s cheaper and has a better arm

  6. Rebecca--Optimist Prime

    My god.

    It is COLD outside, and there is so much snow on my car I can’t lift the trunk open to get the scraper to wipe the snow off.

    (How is everyone? What news have I missed in the four hours I was at class?)

  7. YankeeDudel

    Melky may not be a superstar, but Coco Crisp isn’t exactly Willie Mays, either. I am still amazed that the Twins would go for the Red Sox Pupu Platter.
    I would be perfectly content to not get Santana. Again, the fall-back plan is having the three kids – not a bleak picture at all.

  8. Mike

    John Lester Sucks !! .. Just because he’s a lefty . what a shame !

  9. nate c.

    GO DODGERS!

  10. Rebecca--Optimist Prime

    Lester is underrated because of the Cancer thing.

  11. G. Love

    I wonder if Smith is willing to trade Johan to Boston for this package because he knows the love letter Gammons is going to write and talk about on ESPN in regards to the gritty gutty future hall of famers the Red Sox begrudgingly gave up in this deal as constituted.

    Gammons will write what a bitter pill it was for the Red Sox to swallow to give up their amazing best CF in baseball in Crisp and how Lester is Andy Pettite and how the other guys are generally spoken of as future hall of famers.

    He’ll wax poetic about how Boston doesn’t want to pay Johan the money, but the Yankees have set the market in baseball with their reckless spending and those poor geniuses in Boston are just doing what it takes to keep up.

    Meanwhile Gammons will be laughing himself silly that the Sox just got the best pitcher in baseball for this lot.

  12. hclunited

    If Sox get Santana, their whole rotation is not home grown (Santana, Beckett, Matsuzaka, Schilling, Wakefield). The Yankees will have a fully home grown rotation, (Wang, Pettitte, Chamberlain, Hughes, Kennedy, unless it’s Mussina instead of Kennedy). I’d be very proud of that, and it would be really fun to follow them. I’m sick of hired guns. We’ve been burnt soo many times on other teams pitchers.

  13. Yankee Sean

    cabrera is def better than crisp, def has more upside.

  14. Mr. GoodKat

    Al Horne better pan out…

  15. Uncle Vito #27 in '08, ALWAYS POSITIVE !!!

    Screw the Sux, the Twins and all the Yankee Haters….we will be fine in 2008….WORLD SERIES CHAMPS…with or without Santana….The lineup will me MASHING to the tune of 1000 plus runs and the rotation is sweet….Cash will work on the bullpen and all will be well in Yankee Land..
    .

    #27 in 2008….........GO YANKEES !
    .

  16. Phil

    Rebecca,

    You missed many people jumping off the ledge. Many posters firing Cashman. Many posters declaring undying love for Cashman. And Pete making a few jokes.

  17. baka

    Wow im geting tired of all the santana talk lets keep the kids and see what happens!!

  18. The_Kiid

    for the twins if they make this trade…

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nl5gBJGnaXs

  19. chrisA

    Good Stuff, G. Love.
    And so true.

  20. Chicago Dave

    I wish the Sox and Twins would just finalize this thing already. We’ve already figured out it’s going to happen eventually. At least then we can move on to something fresh, like how we’re going to improve our bullpen.

  21. Bryan

    Agreed… How can you give up one of the best pitchers in the league and not get at least one of the other team’s two best prospects in return?

    I agree Melky is overvalued by Yankees fans but Hughes has got to be more valuable than Lester and Melky is at worst comparable to Crisp based on salary comparison alone.

  22. Doreen

    Pete –
    Somethings tells me you’re not exactly enchanted with this year’s venue. :D

    This thing is going to drag on, I guess. I hope someone else gets Haren, in the meantime.

    I do agree that we as Yankee fans tend to value Melky more than he really should be. But he’s not chopped liver, either.

  23. Rockin' Rich

    “If Minnesota likes Boston’s package”?

    Ewwww…...

  24. murphydog

    This Hillbilly Nightmare… LOL!

  25. nate c.

    Peter: Please pass this message to Alan Horne, Austin Jackson, and Ian Kennedy.

    “Please be worth it. Work hard. Be amazing.”

    Thanks

  26. Mike R.

    Rebecca – I agree that his Cancer changed alot of peoples opinions of the guy, but that’s not why I underrate him. His 3.33 career MILB ERA and the fact that he gives up more fly balls than ground outs is why I underrate him.

  27. Laura

    Pete, I think you are selling Melky short. I have watched every single Yankees game and there were countless times when Melky ran down a ball, made a great catch or threw a guy out by a mile. Now, he will not be challenging A-ATM for hitting, but I think he’s gotten some key hits here and there.

    I am so tired of us buying up the world. Let’s try and win from within. If that doesn’t work, then at least they can say that they tried.

    P.S. My money says Santana vetoes the trade to Boston. I really think that he wants to wear the Yankee pinstripes.

  28. Rebecca--Optimist Prime

    Phil:

    DANG!

    I’ve got three finals and two papers to finish up, if anyone should be jumping off a ledge…but I’m nowhere near one!

    Actually, given the height of my window relative to the roof below me, and the coating of snow, I could probably jump with very little harm to myself.

    Just very wet pants.

    (and I’m kind of in the ‘I am perfectly content without Santana camp, so I’m quite giddy right now).

  29. EY

    I’d be so happy if the Dodgers swoop in and snatches Santana away from Boston. I agree that Angels are going after Miggy.

    And yes I agree this is a steal if Twins give up Santana without getting Ellsbury and/or Bucholz.

    Melky > Breakfast cereal
    Hughes > Lester
    The won’t take it?
    !??!?!?

    If that actually happens, Smith is just one big Boston homeboy and the entire team laid down for Boston even before the season started.

  30. Phil

    Fans may overrated Melky, but he’s 22 years old, and for June, July and August, he looked like a future all-star.

  31. Johnny

    Melky may not be a budding superstar but I do think that he is a great player. He is young and still making those rookie mistakes but that can change anytime soon. He will start getting better jumps on balls and will stop swinging at stupid pitches. All young players grow out of that. Plus that arm of his really changes how teams play against us. They run all over Damon because he has absolutely no arm but when you have Melky playing centerfield, teams play much more conservative. That being said, I really think that melky is the future of center field for the yanks

  32. Ben(I'm happy Hughes will stay)

    So does that mean Hughes can still be traded?

  33. Charlie

    Ham:

    A) Are you saying you think the Sox’s offer is better? Who would you want? Hughes/Melky or Lester/Crisp? You’re a beat writer but you offer analysis. I want your opinion.

    B) Yes, GMs get paid to evaluate talent, not to be dumb. Melky is cost-controlled and by far a better value than Crisp. There’s no question that the Twins turned down their best offer. That’s their fault and we are all stupider for observing it.

  34. Boston Dave

    Petitte says he wants to play for Yanks for years to come…

  35. rb15

    Rebecca, since you left, we came to the consensus that Twins FO is crazy, that a select Twins fan on this board needs to not be on this board anymore, that Jeter worked out on the track at the University of Tampa this morning (which makes sense, since he’s a resident and all), that Lowrie is not a blue chip, that Crisp is replacement level, and that we just might not be the favorites going into the regular season this year.

    So basically, you’ve missed nothing, but we’ve all been refreshingrefreshingrefreshing anyway.

  36. SJ44

    I don’t think its a question of overvaluing Cabrera Pete.

    Its wondering why the Twins would make a deal for a similar player (Crisp) making 10 times the salary.

    As far as not including Kennedy, Jackson or Horne in the deal, I can’t blame the Yankees on that.

    Geez, Hughes is tough enough to give up. Adding the others to the mix is too much.

    If he goes to Boston, so be it. They still have to finish a deal AND negotiate a contract with Santana.

    As we have seen with Bill Smith, no deal is final. He’s probably still shopping as we speak.

    If I was Cashman, I would do what he is doing. Move on and if they come back, see what they say.

    Engaging a guy (Smith) who has shown no ability to close a deal is a waste of time.

  37. Phil

    If Melky continues to work hard with A-Rod, there’s no reason not to believe he can be a serviceable OF. However, his range is inferior to Crisp. Yet his arm is better.

    I can’t see why the Twins prefer Crisp and his salary to Melky and his salary.

  38. Bryan

    Maybe the Twins gave up on Ellsbury because he hired Boras as his agent.

    Hmmm… maybe Theo suggested that hire?

  39. saucy

    the more Pete complains about that hotel, the more i want to see it

  40. Phil

    Melky is just holding the position for Austin Jackson.

  41. SJ44

    Pete,

    I will be in Nashville on Saturday on business.

    If you get a chance, two restaurants you have to try while you are there…..Sunset Grill and Jimmy Kelly’s. Both good places and it will take your mind away from navigating around the hotel.

  42. Doreen

    You know, this whole situation just may really pump up the 3 kids a great deal. Phil Hughes already was quoted as saying he thought it would be great for the 3 of them to be working together in the ML. I think they’ll be great for each other, as well. A lot to be said for internal competition.

  43. V is For Vendetta

    I saw Lester pitch twice, last September, he was average at best. That’s why Tito went with the struggling Dice-K as the number #3 pitcher.

  44. Boston Dave

    Sj –
    If AJ gets it done, I include him with phil and melky. You don’t agree?

  45. Chicago Dave

    Then again, the Dodgers have been feign to give out big, long-term contracts to pitchers ever since the Kevin Brown deal blew up in their face…So I don’t think they’d seriously get involved in trade talks for Santana knowing what sort of contract they’d have to give him.

  46. Wolf In Pinstripes

    “the more Pete complains about that hotel, the more i want to see it”

    I’ve been there. No you don’t. ;) LOL

  47. marc

    And therein lies the rub, we are just playing with the red sox who are trying but won’t steal santana. we want to keep our kids and get the NL involved, that’s it.

  48. Master Wangkee

    Go with the Homegrowns:

    Rotation:

    Wang
    Pettitte
    Hughes
    Kennedy
    Chamberlain

    Bullpen:

    Rivera
    Sanchez
    Melancon
    Marquez
    Whelan
    Robertson
    Cox

    Position players:

    Jeter
    Cano
    Jackson
    Melky
    Tabata
    S. Duncan

  49. Yankee Sean

    melky can be as good as anybody. hes not holding anything for anybody. before this year joba was a virtual no name, hughes was the dominant prospect but when it came to trading either of the two, JOBA was the one who was nottobetrade. theres no reason why melky cannont be the same

  50. Mike R.

    Boston Dave
    December 4th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
    Sj –
    If AJ gets it done, I include him with phil and melky. You don’t agree?

    You can’t give up your CF and your CF of the future. That would be an even higher cost to the deal in an economic sense, because you would have to go out and sign a FA CF.

  51. Mike

    I don’t think it’s a problem he’s going to Boston. It’s a problem he’s going to Boston for a bucket of crap.

  52. Leonard

    exactly

  53. NH Mike

    Coco Crisp is a product of his name. He’s nothing special as a player but that name is so cute that he gets mentions on ESPN often. He’s nothing much at the plate and an average fielder with a below average arm.

  54. Vader

    If the Dodgers want in they can offer a much better deal IMO. They have to think about getting Torre some help in that rotation and in that division Santana alone will put at the top of the NL West.

  55. Phil

    Do not go to that hotel…it is awful. Better to go to the website and look at the Country Christmas pictures…and wait until next year when the meetings are being held in Vegas.

  56. Master Wangkee

    and Posada.

  57. alex

    good. keep the kids and stay the course.

  58. Jay

    First off—“this hillbilly nightmare”?? Real mature.

    Anyway, it’s cool if the Twins don’t like Melky—he’s not that great—but they’re accepting Coco Crisp who, because of age and money, is WORSE. They’re also accepting Lester when Hughes is better. The problem is the third and fourth players; the Sox are giving up something, but the Yankees don’t want to. I don’t know if Lowrie is as good as Horne, but the Yankees basically feel a Hughes-for-Santana deal is enough and the Twins want to cover themselves with one more player, which is reasonable. The Yankees should hang onto Hughes and Jackson at all costs, but moving Kennedy and Horne, even in the same deal, is fine. When this falls through, they should look out there to see who Kennedy/Horne/Melky will get them.

  59. Master Wangkee

    Go with the Homegrowns:

    Rotation:

    Wang
    Pettitte
    Hughes
    Kennedy
    Chamberlain

    Bullpen:

    Rivera
    Sanchez
    Horne
    Melancon
    Marquez
    Whelan
    Robertson
    Cox

    Position players:

    Jeter
    Posada
    Cano
    Jackson
    Melky
    Tabata
    S. Duncan

  60. Jack H.

    I agree with everything Peter said, but the real issue here is this: If the Red Sox get Santana they will have a stranglehold on the AL East for the next five years. This isn’t just a short term issue, it’s a long term one.

    Do we want Jeter to never get “one for the thumb”? Santana/Beckett/Buccholz/Dice K are NASTY and all YOUNG (with Santana being the old man at 29).

    I’m not saying I would throw in Horne, but is Alan Horne worth holding on to if it means we aren’t in the East chase?

    It’s something that needs to be figured out.

  61. Bill from NJ

    Report: Angels join hunt for Santana

    According to the Providence Journal, the Angels have made a late bid for Johan Santana, with Jered Weaver likely involved as bait.

    The Red Sox and Twins have yet to resume talking today, though WFAN’s Sweeney Murti thinks a deal remains close. ESPN’s Peter Gammons indicated that the Twins still aren’t certain whether they like the Jacoby Ellsbury or Jon Lester/Coco Crisp package better. Meanwhile, the Yankees have no intention of changing their current offer, a team executive told the Journal News. Dec. 4 – 2:43 pm et
    Source: Providence Journal

  62. whozat

    “I can’t see why the Twins prefer Crisp and his salary to Melky and his salary.”

    Well, they just lost an incredible defensive CFer. They potentially replaced his bat in RF, and they want to replace his D in CF. Melky don’t do it. Crisp does. I guess that’s worth $5MM to them…

    If they get Ellsbury, he does as well, and will probably be a good leadoff guy. But to get THAT and a solid prospect and a nobody? Is CF defense REALLY worth passing on Phil Hughes? If they’re psyched on Lester…Ok. They’re crazy, though. He’s a #5 right now, and will MAYBE be a #3. At least that’s what I read. They’re sending off their ace, trading their best young arm and replacing them with a #3? At best?

    Ok. The Yanks’ package is better. Everyone knows it. Maybe the Twins just feel the fit with the Sox is better, with the better defensive CFs and the middle infield depth.

  63. Master Wangkee

    Go with the Homegrowns:

    Rotation:

    Wang
    Pettitte
    Hughes
    Kennedy
    Chamberlain

    Bullpen:

    Rivera
    Sanchez
    Horne
    Melancon
    Marquez
    Ohlendorf
    Whelan
    Robertson
    Cox

    Position players:

    Jeter
    Posada
    Cano
    Jackson
    Melky
    Tabata
    S. Duncan

  64. Brandon (Proud supporter of "ALEX BEING ALEX")

    The Twins have told the Angels that Jared Weaver would have to be part of a deal for Santana to give Minnesota another young starter as part of the mix. Other names expected to be talked about include shortstop prospect Brandon Wood.

    Arte Moreno come on down !

  65. J-Dawg

    It wouldn’t be any surprise if the Twins come back to the Yankees. The Twins will probably try to scare the Yankees and give Cashman an ultimatum. Smith will say, “you had better knock me down with an offer or I’m sending him to Boston.”

    The Opryland Hotel isn’t that good, the Radisson in Nashville is much better, although the bathrooms are tiny. The showers are basically on top of the commodes!

  66. rbizzler

    The Dodgers can easily put together a package that blow Boston’s (and ours) out the window. Let’s hope for that. Johan would be a good fit in L.A. and he can hang out with our old friend Joe.

    C’mon Bill Smith, you know you really don’t want Crisp/Lester.

    And I agree with SJ, et al. Ignoring the financial implications of Crisp v. Melky is unfathomable. I mean the Twins have Santana on the market because they can’t afford him. Did this somehow not become relevant?

  67. Boston dave

    on no mike r!!

    You can’t find any fa cf’s

  68. G. Love

    I actually agree that if Austin Jackson plus Hughes and Melky got the deal done, you grit your teeth and do it.

    Austin Jackson was barely on our radar and still may not turn out to be what we all are hoping.

    I just don’t add anymore of the top pitching prospects in the organization.

    Them asking for Kennedy too is ludicrous. It’s above and beyond what the Red Sox are currently offering.

    We’ll find another CF. We always do. Who honestly thought that Melky was going to be our CF of the future when he came up?

    OF’ers we’ll find. Pitching however, is a much different animal.

  69. Rebecca--Optimist Prime

    RB15:

    I suspected something similar.

    What’s this I saw last thread about Haren to AZ for Connor Jackson?

  70. Josh

    As great as it would have been to get Johan, losing the Phranchise was dragging me down. It’ll be fun watching the kids show their stuff, I think we’ll be just fine.

  71. SJ44

    No Boston Dave for the reasons Mike has mentioned.

    You can’t give up your starting CF AND your CF of the future in one deal.

    That’s not the way to go.

    Now, before somebody says, “Go get Aaron Rowand or Andruw Jones”, think for a minute.

    The Yankees should make that deal, give Santana 150 million, then spend another 50+ million on a CF?

    Can’t do that. Doesn’t make any sense.

    With the way Austin Jackson is coming, you don’t trade him unless you get Santana AND Morneau in the deal.

    If the Twins want to trade both guys, then you give them the run of the farm system.

    However, just for Santana? No way.

  72. Mike R.

    Something tells me that the Angels will now play the part that Boston was playing until now. Wait until Smith starts upping the demands when Theo thinks they have a deal. Oh you’re going to give us Lester and Ellsbury? Now we want Bchholz and Ellsbury…And the story repeats.

  73. Someone Somewhere.....

    Rumors of the Angels in the mix now. Jared Weaver being the A+ player. If its true I’d be worried if I was Boston since Weaver is heck of a lot better than Lester. Brandon Wood’s name was thrown around too.

    http://www.beloblog.com/ProJo_Blogs/SoxBlog/archives/2007/12/update_angels_j.html

  74. bottom line

    The Dodgers under McCourt are such small timers. With all the young talent (and resources) they have, what a chance to swoop in and bag Santana. But I’d be surprised if they make anything more than a token effort.

  75. murphydog

    Girardi: I know most of us here wanted Santana. No knock on Melky (waves) or Philly Franchise (waves). But he is an ace. And of course no knock to you Wanger (waves). (Aside: Can someone translate that to him? Oh, he speaks English, Great.) Anyway it was not to be and that’s that. So, let’s be realistic. (Girardi rubs his hands together) He throws baseballs, right? Not laserbeams (the team murmurs) or deathrays (more murmurs). He can be hit, ya hear me? HE CAN BE HIT! (shouts of Yeah, Right, Damn right) Maybe not often, maybe not hard, but damnit, he can be hit. (Great applause).

    So, suck it up, men. Train hard. A tough campaign awaits… (Girardi stops abruptly, squints toward the back of the room, toward Posada) What’s this? You… Posada… are you… CRYING? Are you crying? THERE’S NO CRYING IN BASEBALL…

  76. EY

    JERED WEAVER?????? LOL
    Other teams keep offering Twins garbage and only Yankees have to give up the talent.

  77. gianthinker

    Melky’s definately not a star but he’s better than Crisp.

  78. Boston dave

    Thank you G Love…

    Question is whether the twins even accept that or want Kennedy too… Ugh

  79. Thrillington

    If the Dodgers and Angels are entering the mix, then this deal is far from done and the drama is not anywhere near over. For the Yankees, I think it’s over.

    But it’s nice to see that he may not absolutely end up in Boston.

  80. Lou

    HOLDING UP A DEAL FOR HORNE??????? ARE YOU NUTS YANKEES GET IT DONE! WE ARE WIN NOW TIME! BY THE TIME THESE PROSPECTS ARE READY, RIVER AND POSADA WILL BE FINISHED!!

  81. Boston dave

    SJ –
    So Damon is unacceptable in CF for 1 yr if it means santana

  82. whozat

    “I’m not saying I would throw in Horne, but is Alan Horne worth holding on to if it means we aren’t in the East chase?”

    Again…the point is that Hughes is so much better than Lester that it doesn’t make sense for the Yanks to have to throw in a guy like Horne to compare with Lowrie.

    If the Twins want a #3, a CFer and someone of value…fine, take Kennedy, Melky and Horne. But if you want a guy who can be a #1, you’re not getting anything of value beyond Melky.

    You don’t see the Sox offering Buchholz, Crisp and Lowrie, do you?

  83. Lou

    I MEAN WE ARE A WIN NOW TEAM!!!

  84. Mike R.

    Boston dave
    December 4th, 2007 at 2:52 pm

    on no mike r!!

    You can’t find any fa cf’s

    It’s not a matter of FA CF being hard to find. It’s a matter of cost. Now intead of adding $25 M to payroll to land Santana you have to add $40 or $45 M. I know these are the Yankees, but they have to show some sense of discretion.

  85. Andrew

    Jered Weaver is not garbage.

  86. stuart

    Guys Lester is a good major league pitcher that is it.. Look at his #’s his whip is not that good. he gives up a ton of baserunners..

    The guy who commented this guarantees the sux win for yrs. what are you smoking? It does not even guarantee they win this yr..

    You cannot predict sports when are you going to figure that out?

    The Yanks will be fine… There big 3 are not your normal prospects, well that is the case for 2 of them.. Hughes and Joba are the best prospects the Yanks have had in many many many yrs. Better then Pettitte and others…...

    Worry about what the ynkees do not the sux.

    Maddog mentioned Austin Jackson is 3 yrs away… the thing that amazes me is that these guys talk about crp they have no idea on….

  87. Alan Pisano

    Hank Steinbrenner is a wuss. Big tuff talk, now he says “probably” wont re-engage.

    I think our young pitchers are overrated. Make the deal you idiot.

  88. Brandon (Proud supporter of "ALEX BEING ALEX")

    Lou GTHO w/ that, we made the best offer, Bill Smith was making us bid against ourselves, we scouted our own system, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH !!!!!!

  89. Mr. GoodKat

    Apparently, we turned down Hughes, Melky, Horne, and Marquez according to Jayson Stark. That might be one that the Yankees have to suck up and do if it means stopping the Red Sox.

  90. rconn23

    Pete,

    Love the blog, but as a native Nashvillian (who now lives in Boston (yech) take it easy on my hometown. Opryland may be a hillbilly nightmare, but the rest of the city is quite great.

  91. Jeff NJ

    Uh, Jered Weaver is talent, his brother is the one that blows.

  92. Laura

    It doesn’t matter if the Angels work out a deal with the Twins. Does Johan want to go to Anaheim? Hmmm…...

  93. Reality Check

    Pete, whatup. Rosenthal reported the deal was done. But you are saying no deal yet? If that is the case, I include Horne (not Ajax) as there is a real question whether he’ll ever have the command to succeed in the ML. I would not like it, but I’d do it. Because Cash says he won’t do it, go Southern California!!

  94. NYPD113th

    If the Santana, Buchholz, and Ellsbury are in Red Sox uniforms come Opening Day 2008, Santa can skip my house this Christmas.

  95. Juke Early

    When they write about this phase of baseball history, and they will, I humbly suggest the following title: The Santanic Versus.

    As for those dunderheads from the frozen lakes & their inbred 3rd City slicker cousins: let them eat chowdah.

    Keep the Kids

  96. vrsce

    Hold the line.

    This is Kismet. Hughes’ destiny is to be a Yankee great.

  97. Ross

    Why don’t you compare Bernie Williams’ #’s and age through the first year of his career with Melky Cabrera’s… INTERESTING

  98. Jon

    The Angels are mentioned in every big FA/trade possibility and they NEVER pull the trigger (other than Vlad and that was 4 years ago….).

  99. yanklifer

    Weaver is better than Lester

  100. rodg12

    Bedard to the Dodgers for Kemp/Broxton??? Rumor on ESPN Blog.

  101. bphill

    If Johan goes to Angels…they will be favorite with Tori Hunter too. I would love to see the Angels get Santana, anything to avoid us giving up players, and santana going to boston.

  102. Mike R.

    Why the heck do we have to one-up the Red Sox in order to land Santana. We can’t offer a package with equal value because it’s unacceptable. They want Lester, Crisp, Lowrie and Masterson from the BoSox. So we have to give them:

    Hughes – Better than Lester
    Melky – Similar to Crisp, but MUCH cheaper
    Jackson – Higher ceiling than Lowrie
    Horne – Better tha Masterson

    That is a much better package than the Bosox are rumored to be giving up. Why Can’t we give them:

    Kennedy – Similar to Lester
    Melky
    Gonzalez – Similar to Lowrie
    Marquez – Similar to Masterson

    It was like this with the Gagne deal as well. Teams want more from the Yanks than they do from other teams. Even if that means making Boston early favorites to repeat.

  103. Gary

    Just like Cashman said he wouldn’t negotiate with A-Rod if he filed for free agency. Yeah right.

  104. Flam

    Alan Horne better be the next Sandy Koufax if that is what is keeping this deal from getting done.

  105. Rafael

    http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/NickPiecoro/11880

    Haren deal to AZ nowhere near done…

  106. Rebecca--Optimist Prime

    Hey, guys:

    • The Orioles and Dodgers may be close on a deal that will send left-hander Erik Bedard to Los Angeles, a baseball source said. The O’s are in need of a center fielder and a closer who can play at the major league level, and the Dogders seem willing to part with outfielder Matt Kemp and reliever Jonathan Broxton, who could come in a close in lieu of Chris Ray, out for the year after Tommy John surgery. “They want Bedard bad,” said the source.

    Do you think the Yankees then might try to involve the Dodgers?

    Or are they zomg we cannot play with Yankees West

  107. Boston dave

    Mike R

    So Damon is unacceptable in CF for 1 yr if it means
    santana? Damon doesn’t cost an extra dime for 2 yrs.

  108. Mike R.

    Gary
    December 4th, 2007 at 3:04 pm

    Just like Cashman said he wouldn’t negotiate with A-Rod if he filed for free agency. Yeah right.

    Cashman said he would not pursue A-Rod. Very different.

  109. mark

    Rebecca—Optimist Prime
    December 4th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
    Lester is underrated because of the Cancer thing.

    Lester is overrated because of the cancer thing. He has not regained any of the form that made him a #22 prospect and has not shown he can maintain himself through a MLB lineup. If the sox do a 6-1 trade and still keep Buccholz and Ellsbury they made out like bandits.

  110. GreenBeret7

    SJ44
    December 4th, 2007 at 2:42 pm

    As we have seen with Bill Smith, no deal is final. He’s probably still shopping as we speak.

    If I was Cashman, I would do what he is doing. Move on and if they come back, see what they say.

    Engaging a guy (Smith) who has shown no ability to close a deal is a waste of time.


    I read some execs and scout reports after theGarza/Young trade and especially after switching Rincon for Morlon, all but one gave the big edge to Tampa just on talent. The major reason was Young’s refusal to be more patient and the base running mistakes. Gardenhire’s going to love that.
    Looks like Smith is 0-2 in deals.

  111. Brandon (Proud supporter of "ALEX BEING ALEX")

    Gary, different situation there, here we are talking about depth in the system and heil ceiling prospects for a SP who is going to ge paid through the nose & an owner in Bill Smith who’s clearly high on something

    w/ Alex it was money and he didn’t cost us prospects

  112. SJ44

    Dave,

    Its not just Damon for one year in CF if you trade Cabrera and Jackson.

    Its Damon for the foreseeable future in CF.

    The reason why the Yankees could trade guys like Hughes and Cabrera in the same deal was because they had people to fill those roles.

    If you trade those guys AND the people to fill their roles, it doesn’t make much sense to me.

    If the Angels are involved, it means discussions with the Marlins on Miguel Cabrera have hit the skids.

    All this tells me is that its easy to TALK trades. Its a helluva harder to DO them.

    It took Bill Smith a month to do the Garza-Young trade. It wouldn’t shock me if this trade isn’t exactly “done” yet.

    The guy seems incapable of being able to make deals.

  113. sunny615

    I’m still perturbed at Bill Smith’s evaluation of talent… but that’s beyond my control and like Cash – the only thing I can do is walk away from this whole circus. Smith is a tool and if he can sell that trade to his fans and owner, then I hope they enjoy whatever weed smoke Boston is blowing in their faces.

  114. Mike R.

    Boston Dave – If we had a young athletic LF Damon could be passable, but having “Short arm” Damon in CF and “Bad knees” Matsui in LF could represent a defensive disaster.

  115. Rafael

    Smith is definitely capable of closing a deal quickly, as shown with Matt Garza to Tampa trade…

    He’s just taking his time, making sure he gets the best offer possible. It’s Santana, so it’s understandable.

  116. stuart

    Lesters WHIP is 1.57 career in the big leagues…that is not good…
    he has pitched 144 innings and is 23 but he is not a big K guy.

    Hughes WHIP in 72 innings is 1.28, yes it is a small sample.. the guy is 21 yrs old….....He did this with a injury….....

    Hughes is much better prospect then Lester it is not even close…...

  117. Eric

    Of course he would go to the Angels!! Hunter is there and his agent said yesterday that he wasn’t limiting the Twins to just Boston or NY.

  118. bphill

    rodg…i think the O’s could do better than that.

  119. yanklifer

    Alan Horne is a very good pitcher who had a breakout year.

    The bottom line is this: If the Twins wanted Hughes they were not going to get him, melky and another one of the highly regarded prospects. Basically they wanted the same deal we were offering with Hughes substiuted for Kennedy. That is a steep price to pay for the privelage of paying $150 million. I think the FO has done a great job here of setting limits.

  120. Brandon (Proud supporter of "ALEX BEING ALEX")

    (high ceiling)

  121. Grant

    If they like Lester more than Hughes, they’re nuts. Oh well, lets kee the kids andhope for the best I guess.

  122. Reality Check

    Stuart, the thing that amazes me about Mand the MD is that even when the Santana trade is clearly brewing, they don’t do even the slightest homework to be sure they know who are the top prospects, the next tier, etc. I—as many of us—do this all year round. You would think people who make their living talking sports would do the “work” necessary to make their opinions based on facts. Well, I guess that never stopped them, did it? Pompous, lazy asses.

  123. Alan Pisano

    Twins think Lester than is better than Hughes.

  124. TwinsfaninNY

    “A) Are you saying you think the Sox’s offer is better? Who would you want? Hughes/Melky or Lester/Crisp?”

    obviously Hughes/Melky. but that’s not all:

    you’re missing Lowrie/Masterson v. crap. that’s why the Red Sox deal is more enticing.

    and, no, Horne alone won’t do it…25 year-old AA pitchers aren’t that enticing. and the Yankees weren’t offering him anyway.

    but Crisp won’t stay with the Twins…he’ll be moved.

  125. bottom line

    Mike R.—You are right on the money with that (though Lowrie does have an edge on Gonzalez). Bill Smith will be run out of town if he does that BOsox deal. Have the Twins really scouted Lester and Crisp? Seems hard to believe. They were trying to run Crisp out of BOston much of last summer. Just amazining.

  126. bphill

    Johan Santana Rumors: Tuesday
    UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 2:12pm: Phil Miller heard some speculation that the Twins could throw in another player on their side to make this thing work.

    UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 2:04pm: According to Sean McAdam, the Twins will also meet with the Angels this afternoon to discuss Santana. The Twins would want Jered Weaver and Brandon Wood for starters. McAdam says the Red Sox and Twins haven’t spoken since this morning. Meanwhile Joe Christensen says there’s lobby buzz about the Red Sox/Twins deal becoming a 5-for-1.

    FROM MLBTR

  127. Mike R.

    Bill smith is a great GM!! He really keeps his fan base informed!

    Alan Pisano
    December 4th, 2007 at 3:10 pm

    Twins think Lester than is better than Hughes.

    TwinsfaninNY
    December 4th, 2007 at 3:11 pm

    but Crisp won’t stay with the Twins…he’ll be moved.

  128. yanklifer

    Reality Check,

    You are so right about m and md, it is mind boggling

  129. sunny615

    TwinsfaninNY
    December 4th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
    “A) Are you saying you think the Sox’s offer is better? Who would you want? Hughes/Melky or Lester/Crisp?”

    obviously Hughes/Melky. but that’s not all:

    you’re missing Lowrie/Masterson v. crap. that’s why the Red Sox deal is more enticing.

    and, no, Horne alone won’t do it…25 year-old AA pitchers aren’t that enticing. and the Yankees weren’t offering him anyway.

    but Crisp won’t stay with the Twins…he’ll be moved.————-
    I guess we’re thinking on different terms…
    Hughes has a much higher ceiling that Lester and in my eyes, it’s a quality package versus a quantity package. If Crisp is going to be moved right away, then doesn’t that qualify as crap too? And for me, I’d rather get a potential #1 or #2 and one crap prospect than a #4 and crap CF and a mid level Boston prospect or 2.

  130. Boston dave

    Mike R
    Then sign cameron or a defensive cf. Everyone assumes rowand or jones are the only other options. I think Damon is fine for 1 yr if it means santana.

  131. The Dude

    Pete, get in a cab and go to the Pancake Pantry. Ask for Miss Mary. Best breakfast you’ll ever eat, and nicest waitress you’ll ever have.

  132. IronCaballo4

    Let’s make this deal happen!

    Mecka-lecka-hi, mecka-hiney-ho!

    http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/amour217/Giambi.jpg

  133. Dan

    I wonder how cheap Dontrelle Willis would be?

  134. Mr. GoodKat

    no one can rationally explain to me why the Twins want a #3 starter over a future ace. Since when has a team traded their superstar in any sport and not asked for a player who is thought to have star potential? WHOOPPEE! Lester is a #3 starter that loads the bases!

  135. Pinstriped Playa

    this guy is FREAKING OUT on M&MD

  136. Master Wangkee

    I think the Twins ‘interest’ in Lester is utterly and completely fabricated.

  137. Mike

    If the Twins want a Lefty, send Igawa.

  138. Reality Check

    Yanklifer, it is like a guy who makes his living with his body letting it go to pot. Call it the Cecil Fielder/Mo Vaughn syndrome.

  139. Pinstriped Playa

    i CAN NOT STAND Fransessa … FAT %$#$$@@!!!

    He LOVES to hear himself talk!

    o man .. can we include Fransessa in AN Ytrade we make .. PLEASE!!

  140. Mike R.

    Bottom Line – I also give the edge to Lowrie in that comparison.

  141. sunny615

    WOuldn’t it be irony if the Angels swooped it and swiped Santana from both NY and Bahston. Talk about an upgraded westcoast team…

  142. XXX

    3:12 p.m., from Buster Olney
    • The Yankees and Twins haven’t talked at all so far Tuesday about Johan Santana, amid increasing indications Santana is going to be dealt to Boston. The Twins are also talking to the Angels, however.

  143. sunny615

    Master Wangkee
    December 4th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
    I think the Twins ‘interest’ in Lester is utterly and completely fabricated.—————-
    um… how exactly do you know this?

  144. Jamie

    The fact that Melky Cabrera is possibly the player that prevents this deal from happening, makes me love the guy even more…anyone else with me?

  145. Brandon (Proud supporter of "ALEX BEING ALEX")

    I need some break time after that crazy fan on M&MD , he gave me a headache ..later guys

  146. jennifer- Hip Hip Jorge

    You’d have to include about 10 gallons of diet coke with him. :)

  147. Stev-o

    Let’s move on… if the Twinkees come back so be it.

    I do hope we’re looking down I95 to Baltimore at Bedard. Hard to trade w/in the division, but he’s a 28yr old lefty w some real nasty stuff (and less mileage on his arm than Johan too).

    What would it take? IPK, Melky, Igawa and a B prospect?

  148. Mike

    ff

  149. Mike R.

    Boston Dave – Cameron would be a short term solution. That’s not what the Yankees need if they deal both CF options. They would need a long term solution, and any long term solution would add to the acquisition cost of Santana (Be it prospects in a trade or cash for a FA).

  150. Boston dave

    Twins might pit Angels vs. Dodgers in…

    Round 2 of the Santana Sweepstakes

  151. bphill

    Dan…the Marlins are talking about a trade that would send Miguel Cabrera and Dontrell Willis to the Tigers for Cameron Maybin and Andrew Miller along with a few others. Thats a blockbuster. The Yankees would need i’m sure a package of Kennedy/Tabata/Horne.

  152. Master Wangkee

    I think the Twins ‘interest’ in Lester is utterly and completely fabricated.

  153. Pinstriped Playa

    Fransessa loves THREE Things .. and Three things ONLY.

    1)- EATING
    2)- Talking
    3)- Eating AND Talking at the same time (preferably when someone esle is talking)

  154. Mike

    Hey Pete Abe the Red Sox brown tongue; are you sure it’s not you laughing hysterically that your red sox will get handed Santana for a sac potatoes

  155. Ray

    I still Like Kazmir & I think he could be gotten.

    Scott Kazmir
    SplitERAWLSvSvoRatioGGSGFCGShoIPHRERKBBK/9BB/9K/BBIBBHRHBSHWPBKAvg. A
    vs. Ana4.8511001.152200013.012871137.432.033.67000100.245
    vs. Bos2.6765001.271717011101.08035301184810.484.262.46168440.218

    Erik Bedard
    SplitERAWLSvSvoRatioGGSGFCGShoIPHRERKBBK/9BB/9K/BBIBBHRHBSHWPBKAvg. A
    vs. Ana6.3313001.895500027.037191920146.514.551.43121200.322
    vs. Bos4.9544001.37111000060.049353347337.054.951.42042020.222

  156. Mike

    I have some old Starting Lineup figures, maybe the Twins would take those.

  157. Mike

    Nobody’s overvaluing Melky; everyone knows melky’s a bum; he just happens to be better and less $$ than the loser cookie crisp

  158. Mike R.

    The Rays would probably ask for Cano, Joba and Hughes for Kazmir.

  159. Boston dave

    Mike R – yanks dont NEED a long term CF solution. We dont know if AJ will be good anyway. I’d rather have santana if it was only going to take adding AJ. CF can be replaced every single offseason…

  160. Master Wangkee

    Ray,

    I like him too. Do you think the Yankees can entice the Rays with a package of starters or something else?

  161. yanklifer

    I have serious doubts about Santana signing an extention if he is traded to the Angels or Sox.

    In Baseball there is only one way to guarentee you are making top dollar – sign with the Yankees. We always over pay, most of the time by a huge amount. Even if he gets an offer of $150m, you have to think his agent will say “the yanks will probably go to $160-$180 in a year”. Can you really let a team buy out your chance to hit the market and not let Yankees either totally overpay or drive the price up for someone else? I am not so sure

  162. sunny615

    Stev-o
    December 4th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
    Let’s move on… if the Twinkees come back so be it.

    I do hope we’re looking down I95 to Baltimore at Bedard. Hard to trade w/in the division, but he’s a 28yr old lefty w some real nasty stuff (and less mileage on his arm than Johan too).

    What would it take? IPK, Melky, Igawa and a B prospect?——————according to reports:

    There is growing buzz that the Dodgers may get Bedard. ESPN’s Amy Nelson has a source saying a deal may be close. Matt Kemp and Jonathan Broxton would be the main pieces of a trade. Readers are reporting in that WFAN is saying the same.

    2:56 p.m., from Amy Nelson
    • The Orioles and Dodgers may be close on a deal that will send left-hander Erik Bedard to Los Angeles, a baseball source said. The O’s are in need of a center fielder and a closer who can play at the major league level, and the Dogders seem willing to part with outfielder Matt Kemp and reliever Jonathan Broxton, who could come in a close in lieu of Chris Ray, out for the year after Tommy John surgery. “They want Bedard bad,” said the source.

  163. Mike

    Mike,

    If you are apart of the Red Sox, I;m sure they’d take your starting lineups

  164. Ray

    Kazmir is 6-5 vs Boston with a 2.67 ERA and a Boston Team batting average of .218

  165. Reality Check

    Neither of them knew who Ajax was until yesterday or today. They sure as hell don’t know who Horne is. Pathetic. What do people think about using some chips to explore a Miguel Cabrera trade? I know the Marlins are driving the Angels crazy (hopefully to the point of switching their focus to JS), but can you imagine the line-up with him at 1st? Might not even need much pitching to get to the PS, and hope that you have enough to advance.

  166. sunny615

    Tampa Bay hates the Yankees
    They will not trade within the division
    and after just getting Garza from the Twinkies are looking to win, not sell.

  167. JFV (Bean Town)

    WOW!

    To many fans fall in love w/ prospects!

    If i was a Yankee fan i say get the job done no matter the cost!

    As a sox Fan reading this, I can not understand the infactuation with melky and the negativity w/ Crisp.

    Defense (range) – Edge Coco
    Defense (Arm) – Edge Melky
    Base Running = About Equal
    Offense (avg) Edge Melky (slight)
    Offense (power) Edge Coco

    Contract – Edge Melky but Coco is still a good value.

    Overall – The players are both Good players and value at a position that is not easy to fill. Edge – neither!

    Come back to earth Melky & Coco are about equal.

    The Yanks NEED Johan while the sox would love to add him.

    The only real loser in this equation is the Yankee’s if they don’t get him.

    So as i look at it, the Red Sox are playing keep away and honestly are in a win-win situation as long as the Yankee’s don’t get him.

    p.s. Haren to Arizona…one more option off the board!

  168. Jeff

    Humberto Sanchez is supposed to be back during 2008. How is his rehab progressing?

  169. sunny615

    2:56 p.m., from Amy Nelson
    • The Orioles and Dodgers may be close on a deal that will send left-hander Erik Bedard to Los Angeles, a baseball source said.
    ————-
    Funny- after 6 years, Torre finally gets an ace.

  170. yanks

    offer up melky/hughes/betemit and a low tier prospect.

    twins need a 3rd baseman

  171. gargoyle

    Melky Cabrera is a year younger than Ellsbury and has 2 full years of MLB service under his belt. He hasn’t reached his ceiling yet.

  172. Ray

    I believe the Rays would love to have some of the Yanks SP prospects. All Rays are available I believe for the right price, which would be far less than Twinkies.

  173. Mike R.

    Boston Dave – I get that. You can replace the CF twice every off season if you’d like, but it still doesn’t eliminate the fact that it is an added cost. I am not saying that it would be impossible, or that it should never happen. I am only stating the fact that it would be an additional cost in the Santana acquisition. You would have to take the prospects you traded + $150 M he’s reported to want + the cost of a CF for the 6 years A-Jax could possibly give you for below market value.

  174. Reality Check

    But Yanklifer, he is not going to leave 150m on the table and risk getting injured this year. Plus, remember he stopped throwing his slider this year. Who knows if that is because his arm hurt, but it makes you wonder a bit.

  175. sunny615

    JFV (Bean Town)
    December 4th, 2007 at 3:25 pm

    Come back to earth Melky & Coco are about equal. —————except Coco costs $4 MILLION dollars a year
    and Melky costs $400k. Not. even. close.

  176. Doreen

    M&MD don’t have to change a thing. People seem to tune in anyway. They don’t have to do research because they’re not held accountable. If people didn’t listen to ‘em, they’d have tanked years ago. Myself, I try to keep my exposure to them at an absolute minimum—for instance, if I know that Joe Girardi or Cash is going to be on.

  177. Master Wangkee

    Ray,

    Float a package of SP’s for Kazmir…let’s hear it. I’m all for speculating about Kazmir.

  178. Global Warming

    To think that the Yankees are going to let guys like Alan Horne, Jackson, and Kennedy stop them from acquiring Santana and thus keeping him away from the Red Sox is extremely surprising.

  179. Larry W

    How about Horne, Kennedy, Melky for Santana.

    If they loke Horne so MUCH, then go that route. I think MN will come back to the Yankees. This is not over, not even close.

    By the way, Melky is being down graded because of one bad month (one really bad month). His June July and August was amazing. Just to speculate had Melky hit at the same pace in Septemebr as he did June – August. His numbers would have ended up more like

    545 .295, 75/75 (runs/RBI) 10/15 (HR/SB) OPS
    tranlated at 600 AB would be .295 85|85 12|17 .780

    Also for a three month span Melky’s OPS was .855

    Hunter’s OPS last year was .889 and his career is.793

    Rowand OPS last year was also .889 (in a band box) his career .805

    Melky is not far behind!!!!

  180. Mike

    Great games available. From Tiger Woods to the last 5 Yankees championship runs on DVD http://www.sell.com/2389VV

  181. Reality Check

    Jeff, his rehab—as well as Melacon’s—is progressing well. I have read stuff to the effect they both may be ready in ST.

  182. Jim PA

    What about Santana’s thoughts during all of this bull? He’s an intelligent guy, he’s got a no-trade clause. He must know that he’s far more likely to get the $$$ he wants from New York than those tightwads in Boston. Why not put his foot down- New York or nothing, knowing he’s free to make his own deal next fall if the Twins call his bluff.

  183. Mike R.

    JFV (Bean Town)
    December 4th, 2007 at 3:25 pm

    WOW!

    To many fans fall in love w/ prospects!

    If i was a Yankee fan i say get the job done no matter the cost!

    As a sox Fan reading this, I can not understand the infactuation with melky and the negativity w/ Crisp.

    Defense (range) – Edge Coco
    Defense (Arm) – Edge Melky
    Base Running = About Equal
    Offense (avg) Edge Melky (slight)
    Offense (power) Edge Coco

    Contract – Edge Melky but Coco is still a good value.

    Overall – The players are both Good players and value at a position that is not easy to fill. Edge – neither!

    Come back to earth Melky & Coco are about equal.

    The Yanks NEED Johan while the sox would love to add him.

    The only real loser in this equation is the Yankee’s if they don’t get him.

    So as i look at it, the Red Sox are playing keep away and honestly are in a win-win situation as long as the Yankee’s don’t get him.

    p.s. Haren to Arizona…one more option off the board!

    What you stated is exactly the point most of us are trying to make. Melky and Crisp are similar players stat wise except Melky is younger and 10 X cheaper. That makes melky more attractive to a money conscience team.

  184. Reality Check

    Global Warming, it is not Horne AND Jackson. It is one or the other—which is even more surprising.

  185. randy l.

    would the red sox trade lester for hughes even up?

    they would in a heartbeat.
    so is there any doubt in anyone’s mind who is the better prospect?

  186. sunny615

    Jackson was the number 1 rated prospect in the AFL… packaging him with Hughes is a steep price to pay. Are you going to be thrilled when they’re both on the ALL Star team representing Minnesota?

  187. YankeeFan

    i’m hoping santana nixes the deal with his ntc. especially if bos didnt want to pay him what he wanted.

    it’s not over yet

  188. Ed FL

    I hope Torre convinces his new GM totradefor Santana. anything to keep Santana away from Boston

  189. bphill

    I would like to hear from Joe Girardi here, I would like him to say what his stance is here. Hopefully he will say I want a #1 starter.

  190. Master Wangkee

    If the Yankees get ‘stuck’ with Melky, I think they’ll be pleasantly surprised. I think Melky could break out in 2008 and hit .300 with a .800 OPS to go along with his strong defense.

  191. Bart

    Make the deal for Santana—He will acnhor the rotation for the next 5 years while a bevy of young picthers can be developed. Horne, Jackson, Tabata are interchangeable parts who do not really matter much each a crap-shoot in his own way. If nothing else has been learned over these last great Yankee years is that pitching is the key—in the AL you can not win a short series without it. Yankees took Shilling an Johnson to 7 games and lost on an ERROR by MO and an infield-in flare

    The picthing collapsed against Boston, the Marlins, Angels, Tigers, Indians. They won with non-entities in RF, at 3B, at 2B.

    It will be a powerful but aging offense for the next 5 years—some kids will grow and replace those traded. AND SOME OF THE NEW ONES will be traded to replace Jeter and Matsui and POSADA.

    The revolves around pitching—- Get the trade done

  192. Mike R.

    It’s true what they say.
    “You can’t make a bedahd, you can’t buy a bedahd and you can’t find a bedahd.”

  193. Rebecca--Optimist Prime

    If Santana, for whatever reason, says no to the trade to boston, doesn’t that seriously decrease any leverage the twins might have?

  194. migames

    3:12 p.m., from Buster Olney
    • The Yankees and Twins haven’t talked at all so far Tuesday about Johan Santana, amid increasing indications Santana is going to be dealt to Boston. The Twins are also talking to the Angels, however.

  195. Global Warming

    “Jackson was the number 1 rated prospect in the AFL… packaging him with Hughes is a steep price to pay. Are you going to be thrilled when they’re both on the ALL Star team representing Minnesota?”

    Sunny what are the chances of that actually happening?

    That’s like me saying “are YOU going to be thrilled?” when the Red Sox have a rotation of Becket, Santana, and Matsusaka while we are juggling with young pitchers going through growing pains===and that’s even IF they make it to their respective potentials.

    I’m a betting man, I’d go with the proven horse in Santana but that’s just me.

  196. sunny615

    Any manager would want a number 1 starter… Girardi would be foolish if he didn’t say that. What would be interesting is hearing how many kids he’d give up to get one (not that he would because he’d be stepping on Cash’s and Hanks toes).

  197. Jesse

    Hey PA,

    i enjoy your blog and look forward to it very much but i use to live in northern Jersey and now i reside in Tennessee…..lay off the “hillbilly” stuff ok….and i have been to the opryland hotel….it sure is big and confusing but reguardless its beautiful…be thankful you are there.

  198. ellen

    Have we seen Bobcat or Miller lately? Did they get run off the blog or something?

  199. Master Wangkee

    I think the Twins ‘interest’ in Lester is 100% fabrication.

  200. Flam

    NTC NTC NTC

  201. sunny615

    Master Wangkee
    December 4th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
    I think the Twins ‘interest’ in Lester is 100% fabrication.————can you confirm this?

  202. IronCaballo4

    I believe the proper term is “hillwilliam”

  203. Reality Check

    Actually, Ajax played in Hawaii this fall. But he was named the top prospect there, as I believe Joba was last year.

  204. Rafael

    Yanks shoudl expand trade with the Twins to include both Santana and Nathan.

    Hughes, Cabrera, Horne, Jackson, Marquez or something similar for Santana and Nathan.

    That’d take the sting out of giving up all the young guys. Nathan would take over closing job from Mo in the next two years or so. Just an idea

  205. bphill

    The Twins can have Hughes/Jackson
    not Hughes/Melky/Jackson.

  206. Mike R.

    sunny615
    December 4th, 2007 at 3:33 pm

    Master Wangkee
    December 4th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
    I think the Twins ‘interest’ in Lester is 100% fabrication.
    ——–
    can you confirm this?

    I think he is only stating his own opinions. Repeatedly mind you, but his opinions. I don’t think he is basing it on anything other than observation and inference.

  207. sunny615

    I’d rather they included MOrneau or Mauer instead of Nathan

  208. Go NYR

    Dont know if you guys have posted this yet but Clippard has been traded for Johnathan Albaladejo. Albaladejo is a 25 year old righthanded reliever who had 1.88 ERA in 14.1 innings for the Nationals. In AAA in 60.2 innings he had 56 to 22 K to BB ratio with a 2.97 ERA. I have read he has battled injuries and weight problems though.

  209. whozat

    “which would be far less than Twinkies.”

    No one has explained to me WHY people think that Bedard, Haren, or Kazmir (who the Rays have expressed NO desire to trade) would cost less in prospects than Santana.

    Kemp + Broxton (rumored center of a Bedard deal) is quite the price. Kemp is a young potential star CFer and Broxton is a legit young setup/closer candidate.

    What’s the Haren deal, now? I think it’s one of the touted Dbacks OFers and Conor Jackson, who hit decently this year and raked in the minors.

  210. S.o.S.27

    For the Angels and Dodgers to get in the Santana sweepstakes tells me that Detroit is going to land Cabrera.

    This deal isnt over. Both of these teams can trump the deal the sox are offering.

    If Haren is going and Bedard is as well. Kazmir wont be traded to the Yankees(for sure). Why not go after Sheets? He would probaly cost us Kennedy and we get to keep Hughes.

    Earlier today Cashman said that there are trades people wouldnt expect that are comming. Could that be a Giambi,Matsui or Mussina?

  211. sunny615

    Mike R.
    December 4th, 2007 at 3:35 pm

    I think he is only stating his own opinions. Repeatedly mind you, but his opinions. I don’t think he is basing it on anything other than observation and inference.—————ah

  212. MarkK

    Peter wrote: “These GMs get paid to evaluate talent.”

    For instance, Dave Littlefield, erstwhile of the Pittsburgh Pirates, was paid to evaluate talent. The Pirates have consistently been one of the worst team in baseball, while acquiring useless old talent and dropping promising young prospects.

    Littlefield is gone. The Minnesota Twins’ fifteen minutes of fame is gone. The Yankees have a pennant race to worry about.

    Oh, and Boston has Jon Lester.

  213. Mr. GoodKat

    I like the Ben Sheets idea. He has great stuff, just has had trouble with injuries. That and his impending free agency would make him a little cheaper for the yankees compared to Haren and Kazmir.

  214. sunny615

    If the Miggy to Tigers deal is true, then the Angels could well land Santana and the Dodgers Bedard… and all this hoopla was for naught.

  215. bphill

    Miguel Cabrera has lost 15 pounds holy sh!t. Screw Arod i want miguel.

  216. whozat

    “I’d rather they included MOrneau or Mauer instead of Nathan”

    Who wouldn’t?

    If you think they’d actually DO that, you’re crazy.

  217. sunny615

    And the Angels just got a whole lot more dangerous.

  218. sunny615

    Of course I’m crazy, but if the Twins want Hughes, Kennedy, Horne and Jackson, why can’t I ask for Santana, Mauer, and MOrneau?

  219. TurnTwo

    I cant for the life of me understand why adding Alan Horne into this package is a deal breaker. ITS JOHAN SANTANA.

  220. bphill

    I would love Sheets, high risk, high reward. but the brewers are not dealing him.

    in other news

    ESPN MAGAZNE HAS VOTED JOBA CHAMBERLAIN THE NEXT BEST ATHELETE!!!!!!!

    ESPN trade rumors on ESPN NEWS RIGHT NOW.

  221. whozat

    “Why not go after Sheets? He would probaly cost us Kennedy and we get to keep Hughes.”

    Why not just keep Kennedy? Sheets can’t stay on the field and costs as much as Pavano does. What’s the point?

  222. Master Wangkee

    Lester sports a 1.5 WHIP in the majors. The Twins can’t be as interested in him as we’re being led to believe. I’m sure somebody in the FO very diplomatically translated the meaning of WHIP for Hank. Lester. Give me a break.

  223. Ray

    I think

    Ian Kennedy, J. Brent Cox. Jeff Karstens, & Chris Britton

    could get Kazmir. Possibly add another player like C, Francisco Cervelli

  224. Mike R.

    whozat
    December 4th, 2007 at 3:38 pm

    “I’d rather they included MOrneau or Mauer instead of Nathan”

    Who wouldn’t?

    If you think they’d actually DO that, you’re crazy.

    I’m pretty sure it was a joke.

  225. bphill

    I would like the ANGELS to be better, if that means the redsox don’t improve.

  226. sunny615

    It’s not just Horne… the Twins want Hughes, Melky, Horne and Jackson not either or. 4 for 1 deal.

  227. hughesian bias

    wha….? i don’t believe the tigers would part with either of the two.

    “The Tigers want Haren enough that they might be induced to part with outfielder Cameron Maybin and pitcher Andrew Miller, according to one source. Both would be on the A’s wish list.”

    http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/12/04/SPRMTNE39.DTL

  228. whozat

    “Of course I’m crazy, but if the Twins want Hughes, Kennedy, Horne and Jackson, why can’t I ask for Santana, Mauer, and MOrneau?”

    Because, as much as I believe in Hughes et al, I KNOW that Mauer and Morneau are young all-stars.

  229. sunny615

    Mike R.
    December 4th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
    whozat
    December 4th, 2007 at 3:38 pm

    “I’d rather they included MOrneau or Mauer instead of Nathan”

    Who wouldn’t?

    If you think they’d actually DO that, you’re crazy.

    I’m pretty sure it was a joke.
    ——
    you got it! :-)

  230. whozat

    “Ian Kennedy, J. Brent Cox. Jeff Karstens, & Chris Britton”

    Wangkee, this guy is just yanking your chain.

  231. Jon W.

    If the Orioles trade Bedahd (nice work Wike R.) for Kemp and Broxton they’re even dumber than we all thought. I feel so sorry for those people in Baltimore.

  232. Rebecca--Optimist Prime

    3:28 p.m., from Peter Gammons
    • The Twins and Red Sox are getting closer to finalizing a Johan Santana deal. Boston has sweetened its offer by adding a fifth player to the the offer—outfield prospect Ryan Kalish, a ninth-round pick in the 2006 draft out of Red Bank Catholic High School (Shrewsbury, N.J.).

    • The Marlins and Angels are serious about moving Miguel Cabrera to the Angels. Expect Florida to get Howie Kendrick, Nick Adenhart, Jeff Mathis and a prospect from L.A. for the third baseman.

  233. Mike R.

    Sunny – I think there is a sarcasm filter here. I’ve noticed a lot of people have trouble with it.

  234. sunny615

    whozat
    December 4th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
    “Of course I’m crazy, but if the Twins want Hughes, Kennedy, Horne and Jackson, why can’t I ask for Santana, Mauer, and MOrneau?”

    Because, as much as I believe in Hughes et al, I KNOW that Mauer and Morneau are young all-stars.————-
    I’m just playing Bill Smith’s game of insanity.

  235. Drive 4-5

    I could not agree more with Pete. Melky is a good,not great player. In order for him to be included in this trade, the Yankees should be required to give up another preospect.

    Ian Kennedy should be off limits. But let’s assume the Yanks would like to win before Jeter, Posada and Mo are at the end of their run. That means that Alan Horne, who turns turns 25 next month, needs to become a top of the rotation starter within the next 3 years. Austin Jackson needs to becomes a bonifide impact player within the same time frame. Otherwise, the Yanks have made a huge mistake in protecting them.

    We’re looking at a $200mil payroll next year without a #1 starter and short at least 2 arms in the bullpen. How embarrasing is that?

  236. bphill