I agree, the Twins have to move him this winter to get back real value for him. There will be a bidding war. First players then money
If the yanks want Santana this winter they will need to offer up Hughes AND Joba just to get the Twins to listen..
Agreed, I don't think Johan hits free agency. I'm not saying the Yankees should trade Hughes and Joba or the Mets should trade Milledge/Gomez/Pelfrey/Heilman, but anyone who argues that they can wait a year and just sign Johan is kidding themselves.
I'm not sure if the Twins will trade him, they may ask for too much, rightfully so. It would not surprise me to see him play all of next season in Minn then hit the FA market. The Twins would then get 2 first round picks and build up their future.
The thing is that if they're smart, they'll be able to grab 2-3 top-level prospects, who are the guys that you WANT those first round picks to develop into. Either that, or get a boatload of proven, young, ML talent. The MLB draft is too much of a crapshoot to put too much stock into.
I think their ability to retain Torii Hunter this winter could be the determining factor. I'm not sure I agree with the Twins, but with the continued development of Garza/Slowey along with the return of Liriano, they could be a playoff team in 2008. If Hunter leaves, I think it would be a major mistake to hold onto Johan and let him walk after the season. You are correct that the Twins might not trade him. However, if he does become available via trade, it will be the Mets/Yankees only shot at him. I'd be stunned that a team would pay Minnesota's price if he wasn't locked up long term.
How could you not trade two totally unproven pitchers for a Santana? Has either one of them won even ONE big game OR get ONE big game save?
Come on Joe. We've seen both guys pitch. Hughes was throwing a no-hitter late in the game before he got hurt, and that was to begin his major league career. Chamberlain has been lights out since his first pitch. No chance you trade either one, much less both for Santana. It would be self-defeating.
I like our kids as much as the next guy but.. I just don't know. I mean he's.. Johan Santana. The unquestioned best starting pitcher in baseball. Not a decision I would want to have to make.
I think you're crazy. One thing to consider though is that there really can't be too many teams that would even be willing to trade for him, because they couldn't afford to re-sign him. I mean, look what Zito got and Santana is about a million times better then he is. I wouldn't be suprised if it would take 25m+ a year to land Santana and there aren't many teams willing or able to pony up that kind of cash.
Then why do you think I'm crazy? I wouldn't trade either 2 of our 4 young quality starters for the next decade for him. Joe was the one saying you trade them, and I think that would be crazy. As for the money, since that might be your point, you might be right. Whoever trades for him might not have the resources to resign him. In that case, I doubt he gets traded at all. It would make little sense to trade for him, which will surely cost an arm and leg, if you don't plan to keep him. UNLESS it's at the trade deadline next year, and a team feels he would be the missing piece to winning it all. In the end, if he does become a free agent, I can see his salary rivaling ARod's. We're talking about the most dominant pitcher in the major leagues of the current generation. Hell, even if he doesn't become a FA, you're right, $25M+ is not out of the question.
