Santana

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2008/01/10/2008-01-10_yankees_may_give_up_on_johan_santana-2.html

But while stressing there is "absolutely nothing new" in terms of recent trade discussions with the Twins, Hank is beginning to sound convinced - if not nearly ready - to walk away from any potential blockbuster deal for Johan Santana.

"We went into this with me making the final baseball decisions and Hal more addressing the financial aspects of the company, but we both do everything," Steinbrenner said yesterday in a phone interview. "We're equal partners, but at this point, to tell you the truth, I'm leaning away from it anyway, so it doesn't matter. Same thing with Brian, he's another integral part of it, obviously, being the general manager, and one day he's leaning to do it and the next day he's not sure.

"I don't know what he'd even want, or what they'd settle for. I don't know. We obviously haven't talked to him or his agent, so I have no idea," Steinbrenner said. "But a six- or seven-year extension, no, I wouldn't do that."

I'm growing more and more comfortable with what we have, and the veteran players I've talked to seem to be pretty comfortable with what we have. But we'll see what happens," said Steinbrenner, who reiterated that the plan is to shift Joba Chamberlain into the starting rotation. "I'm hoping we'll be set to go (to spring training).

"The big thing, as far as questions, is the bullpen and we'll see how that shakes out, but at this point, I want Chamberlain as a starter and not using someone of his ability in a setup role. We did that last year, but that was different. He was a rookie. But you don't do that.

"Setup guys are important, extremely important, but you have a guy of that ability, who our baseball people think either can be a top starting pitcher or a top closer. It's going to be up to Brian to plug that hole in the bullpen, if there is one, if we're not going to get Santana."

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2008/01/10/2008-01-10_yankees_may_give_up_on_johan_santana-2.html

But while stressing there is "absolutely nothing new" in terms of recent trade discussions with the Twins, Hank is beginning to sound convinced - if not nearly ready - to walk away from any potential blockbuster deal for Johan Santana.

We went into this with me making the final baseball decisions and Hal more addressing the financial aspects of the company, but we both do everything," Steinbrenner said yesterday in a phone interview. "We're equal partners, but at this point, to tell you the truth, I'm leaning away from it anyway, so it doesn't matter. Same thing with Brian, he's another integral part of it, obviously, being the general manager, and one day he's leaning to do it and the next day he's not sure.

I don't know what he'd even want, or what they'd settle for. I don't know. We obviously haven't talked to him or his agent, so I have no idea," Steinbrenner said. "But a six- or seven-year extension, no, I wouldn't do that.

]I'm growing more and more comfortable with what we have, and the veteran players I've talked to seem to be pretty comfortable with what we have. But we'll see what happens," said Steinbrenner, who reiterated that the plan is to shift Joba Chamberlain into the starting rotation. "I'm hoping we'll be set to go (to spring training).

"The big thing, as far as questions, is the bullpen and we'll see how that shakes out, but at this point, I want Chamberlain as a starter and not using someone of his ability in a setup role. We did that last year, but that was different. He was a rookie. But you don't do that.

"Setup guys are important, extremely important, but you have a guy of that ability, who our baseball people think either can be a top starting pitcher or a top closer. It's going to be up to Brian to plug that hole in the bullpen, if there is one, if we're not going to get Santana."

http://rotoworld.com/content/home_MLB.aspx

The Star Tribune's Joe Christensen believes the Twins would send Johan Santana to the Mets if New York added Fernando Martinez to its current offer of Carlos Gomez, Deolis Guerra, Phil Humber and Kevin Mulvey.
If Christensen has the players exactly right, that'd qualify as new news. However, it's been assumed for a while now that the hold up with the Mets is that the Twins want both outfielders, while the Mets are only willing to part with one. The Mets are right to stand pat with the current offer. Four quality prospects for Santana is sufficient. Adding Martinez, even if he replaced one of the pitchers, is too high of a price to pay.
Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune
Related: Carlos Gomez

http://rotoworld.com/content/home_MLB.aspx

FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal believes that an Erik Bedard-to-Seattle trade is closer to completion.
Sources told Rosenthal that the two sides are still differing on one player of the deal. Rosenthal says nothing about Jeff Clement in his newest report, instead mentioning right-hander Chris Tillman, top shortstop prospect Carlos Triunfel and reliever George Sherrill as possibility to be moved along with Adam Jones. Jones is almost surely a lock to be in the deal. We assume two of the other three would go. If the Orioles have a chance to get Triunfel, they need to pull the trigger.
Source: FOXSports.com
Related: Adam Jones, Jeff Clement, George Sherrill

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7656588


Erik Bedard to the Mariners? Mike Cameron to the Brewers? Luis Gonzalez to the Marlins?

All three scenarios are in play, though the trade talks involving Bedard are fluid and Cameron is drawing interest from at least two other teams.

The latest:


# Bedard: A trade between the Orioles and Mariners is only one player away from completion, major-league sources say, but that one player could be right-hander Chris Tillman, a 19-year-old that the M's would prefer to retain.

Outfielder Adam Jones would be the centerpiece of the deal for the Orioles, and left-handed reliever George Sherrill and 17-year-old shortstop Carlos Triunfel are among the other players under discussion.

The Mariners also have inquired about A's right-hander Joe Blanton, but the A's would insist upon Jones and the Mariners might not be willing to trade their top position prospect within the division.

# Cameron: The Brewers are expressing serious interest in the free-agent center fielder, sources say, though they would prefer a left-handed hitter and would face a delicate situation if they asked Bill Hall to return to the infield.

The signing of Cameron would trigger the shift of Hall to third base and Ryan Braun to left field, improving the Brewers defensively. However, the Brewers assured Hall that his move from shortstop to center last season would not simply be for one year.

Hall, 28, and catcher Jason Kendall, 33, are the Brewers' only regulars over 25. The signing of Cameron would provide another veteran presence but also add another high-strikeout hitter to the team's lineup.

Cameron struck out 160 times for the Padres last season, the fourth highest total in the National League, while batting .242 with 21 homers and 78 RBIs. Five of the Brewers' eight returning regulars struck out 99 or more times, yet the team finished fifth in the NL in runs.

# Gonzalez: The Marlins, envisioning the five-time All-Star as a veteran mentor who would play both left field and first base, are expected to resume discussions with the free agent's representatives on Thursday.

Gonzalez, 40, also is drawing consideration from the Brewers, and could fit in with the Mariners if Seattle trades Jones. While Gonzalez might prefer to sign with a contender rather than the Marlins, he also considers playing time a priority.

After finishing last season with 2,502 hits, Gonzalez could approach 3,000 if he continues producing into his mid-40s. The milestone — an unofficial standard for the Hall of Fame — is a longshot. Gonzalez, however, believes he can contribute in a more meaningful way than he did for the Dodgers last season.

After signing with the Dodgers as a free agent, Gonzalez appeared in 139 games, his second-lowest total since 1995. He batted .278 with 15 homers and 68 RBIs.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7656588


# Bedard: A trade between the Orioles and Mariners is only one player away from completion, major-league sources say, but that one player could be right-hander Chris Tillman, a 19-year-old that the M's would prefer to retain.

Outfielder Adam Jones would be the centerpiece of the deal for the Orioles, and left-handed reliever George Sherrill and 17-year-old shortstop Carlos Triunfel are among the other players under discussion.

The Mariners also have inquired about A's right-hander Joe Blanton, but the A's would insist upon Jones and the Mariners might not be willing to trade their top position prospect within the division.

Why do you hate the Yankees?

The two main reasons people use to hate the Yankees is

1. Finance, Money, etc..

2. Arrogance, Corporate, etc...

To touch on Number 2 for a second. We crucify players like Manny for acting a fool. Ridiculous hair style, and off the field antics. We criticize managers like Ozzie for not knowing when to keep his mouth shut. The Yankees try to keep it a little more clean, more appropriate. No facial hair, clean uniforms, no staring at Homerun balls from Home plate for half an hour.... Im not sure I understand what is so bad about this. Sometimes I see it like that guy who has it all from looks to charm, EVERYTHING.... you hate him, but you dont know why.

Now, about the money. First of all, the Yankees are not doing anything illegal. They are simply using their resources to improve a product they have to present to a client. Anyone who has the most minimal knowledge of how to run a business can understand and APPRECIATE what the Yankees are doing. Let's be real, alot of owners pocket the money.

A quick breakdown of what the Yankees spend on Payroll. Let's see how much of it justifies this worldwide hatred for them...

Currently, the Yankees are sporting a payroll of about $195 Million dollars. Im going to break down only the Million dollar contracts.

Before I explain this, I would like to add that Rookie Free Agents could and should qualify as a homegrown talent.... Guys like Santana, Reyes, Dice K were all rookie free agents with their respective teams at one point. Noone is talking about how "wrong" it is to go after Fukudome....an established STAR in Japan.

Yankee Farm System and/or Rookie Free Agents

Derek Jeter - $21,600,000
Andy Pettite - $16,000,000
Hideki Matsui - $13,000,000
Jorge Posada - $12,000,000
Mariano Rivera - $10,500,000
Kei Igawa - $4,000,000

That's $76,600,000 spent on Homegrown and/or Rookie Free Agents. That's about 39% of the Yankees Payroll.

The ORIGINAL contract given to Alex Rodriguez was by the Rangers. For the Yankees to acquire A Rod, they needed to trade Soriano, another Rookie Free Agent. Our scouting doesn't get enough credit. Anyway, we currently upped that contract to baseball's best player to $275 Million.... This year, he'll make about $27,700,000. The road to New York for A Rod was not NY "stealing" a player or playing dirty. In 2001 he was granted Free Agency from Seattle... The Rangers locked him up for a HUGE contract. Realizing he put too much money into ONE player, not allowing him to focus on the REAL issue (pitching), Hicks decided to unload a good amount of that contract on the Yankees.

So, $27,000,000 goes to A Rod, about 14% of the Payroll... So between Homegrown players and A Rod... that's about 53% of the Payroll..

Jason Giambi was coming off an MVP season when signed. It was a smart business move to put a guy of his caliber at First to try and fill in Tino's shoes. Carl Pavano was coming off an 18 Win Season in Florida. Wasn't anything special prior to that year, and the Yankees took a chance on him. MIke Mussina was a good pitcher for the Orioles. Ironically, when the Yankees signed him he was 32, coming off his worst win/loss season as a Regular Starter. 11 - 15 with a 3.79 ERA... His 3rd highest ERA up to that point. Aging star coming off his worst season as a regular...... Kinda risky if you ask me.

Giambi is set to make about $23 Million, Mussina is going to make about $11 Million, while Pavano is going to make $10 Million. $44 Million between 3 TIMELY, SMART acquisition made by the Yankees (when they were made, ofcourse). That's $44 Million of 195...is about 23%.... bring the total up to 76% of the payroll.

Bobby Abreu was laughed at when signed, along with the late Corey Lidle. The Yankees gave up 4 prospects to acquire Abreu and Lidle. I remember the buzz was that the Yankees traded for an OVER rated guy with a good arm and decent pop. Farnsworth was/is nothing special. Latroy Hawkins is the latest guy added to try and stop the Bullpen woes... Good luck. Abreu is set to make about $15,600,000. Farnsworth about $5,700,000 and Hakwins about $3,300,000... That's about $24.6 Million in guys everyone laughed at. Not that they are doing anything special. That's about 13% of the Payroll... We are at 89%.

Then Johnny Damon. I liked the signing at first. Young guy who murdered us in the playoffs in '04. Boston could've had him but refused to throw in the extra year, so they settled for the guy who is warming up Ellsbury's spot...if not traded. $13 Million for Damon. That's about .07% of the payroll....

90% of the payroll broken down for the ones that hate the Yankees. It's a business. The Yankees have more resources because.......of their resources. They are not doing anyting illegal and/or immoral. Simply trying

http://bronxbanter.baseballtoaster.com/



Here's a good article from Bronx Banter on the debate betwen scientific and non scientific analysis.

Jim McLaughlin, the first scouting director for the Baltimore Orioles (he later ran the scouting operations for the Cincinnati Reds), believed in a scientific approach to scouting way back in the '50s. McLaughlin devised a chart called "The Whole Ball Player." The chart consisted of a cirlce that was split in two. The top half of the chart reads:

Can Be Seen with Eye

Pitcher: arm strength, fast ball, curve ball, slider, other pitch, control

Infieder-Outfielder: arm strength, use of arm, speed, hands, fielding, range, hitting, power

Catcher: arm strength, use of arm, hands, receiving, hitting, power, speed

General for all Players: stamina, durability, anticipation, hustle, reflexes, size, coordination, agility, poise, instinct base running, eyesight

The bottom of the chart reads:

Can Not Be Seen with Eye

Attitude: desire, drive, willingness, hunger ambition, aggressiveness

Mental: intelligence, baseball sense, teachability, knowledge of game

Personality: improvement, consistency, maturity, adjustment, stability, temperament, disposition

Winner: stomach, heart, competitiveness, pride, confidence

Background: family, habit.

McLaughlin is featured in Kevin Kerrane's wonderful book about scouting, Dollar Sign on the Muscle:

"When Fred Hoffman scouted Brooks Robinson, he saw the whole ballplayer. Brooks was just an average runner, he didn't have a great arm, his frame was still kind of frail, his hitting was still a question mark, and he was playing second base. But Fred visualized him as a third baseman. He said, 'This boy's quick even though he's not fast, and he's gonna be just like a vacuum cleaner in the infield.' Fred saw the soft hands, the live body, the great reflexes that allow you to project hitters. He was able to break the player down into individual tools, and he was also able to see the masterpiece in its entirety. Not just the total coordination in that body, but the total coordination in that person-beyond what could be seen with the eye.

"...I think I went a lot further than other people in taking the scientific viewpoint on acquiring talent. And that's another reason I wasn't a real baseball man. Baseball men are like a tribe. And if you don't think they way the tribe thinks, if you think on your own and ignore the conventional wisdom, then you spend half your time bucking complaints from scouts who say, 'That's not the way I learned it,' or 'You never played a day of pro baseball in your life.'

"I used to hear scouts talk about 'the good face'-as if they could tell about a kids' makeup just by looking at him, instead of taking the trouble to get to know him, or studying the results of a psychological test. I used to hear those 'good face' stories and they'd drive me up the wall. Scouts can be so damn unscientific! At one time it was the conventional wisdom that a black kid couldn't become a successful big-league pitcher, because he wouldn't have any guts when he walked out to the mound, because he'd be only sixty feet, six inches from home plate. There was no basis for that. It was just prejudice-or fantasy, or myth, or whatever you want to call it. I was the scouting director and I had to listen to this bullshit. I said, 'I don't' have the time to reeducate you guys diplomatically.' I was dictatorial. I was opinionated. I said, 'This is the way it's gonna be.' I wanted to inculcate basic principles, like with that chart. I wanted rationality. I wanted science.

McLaughlin wanted his scouts to be more than just baseball men. He ran seminars with guest speakers ranging from psychologists to F.B.I. agents to insurance salesmen. He staged mock-drafts and began employing cross-checkers in 1955, ten years before the draft.

"In one way all of that was picking up where Branch Rickey left off...even though I never liked Rickey. I thought he was an ethical fraud, the way he manipulated people and then made those pious speeches. There was no substance. I couldn't have worked for him two minutes, because of my Jesuit education. I could see through him. But when it came to producing talent, the man had real intelligence, real imagination, because he could change his thinking-like a good novelist who doesn't just keep repeating himself after the first novel. And near the end of his career, he was ready for scientific scouting.

"Up to that time, see, Rickey was a Darwinist. 'Quality out of quantity' is really a version of natural selection. The other baseball men didn't even know who the hell Darwin was, so Rickey could operate like one of these companies that gets a monopoly on the market. Then, when farm systems got too expensive, and when bonuses went sky-high, Rickey changed. He went after quality only, to the extent that he could. He was trying conscious selection-even though the tools were very precise. But if he were alive today, he'd be experimenting with new tools: tests, special equipment, computers. He wouldn't be bound by the conventional wisdom, because he was the guy who invented the conventional wisdom.

A question about Melky in a Santana deal:

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post Dec 1 2007, 02:05 PM
Post #21



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From: orange county NY





Wouldn't Gardner be the best option in light of the likely cost of Santana? It is very likely that the 08 Yanks will lead the league in RS anyway.

Edit: While looking at Gardner's stats I am becoming more convinced that he is at least Cashman's plan C to replace Melky:

http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=5277

He obviously can't hit for power, but he can steal bases and his OBP isn't predicated on his BA. He could bat 9th in an order likely to score about 900 runs.

This post has been edited by jodyreeddudley78: Dec 1 2007, 02:50 PM
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post Dec 1 2007, 02:23 PM
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QUOTE(941827 @ Dec 1 2007, 02:14 PM) *
It was your post in that thread that prompted my post here.

I find it hard to believe the MFY have not learned their lesson about Damon and are going to go into the season with him at CF and hoping a minor-leaguer can step up if Damon gets hurt. That said, I also can't see them investing big money in Rowand or Jones after shelling out for Santana. They have SOME spending limit, don't they?

If Jones isn't getting many bites in the FA market, I wonder if Boras would be willing to have him sign a one-year deal with the MFY to enhance his value for a renewed run at FA next year. Probably not.


I really would not be shocked to see the Yankees stick a real defender like Brett Gardner out there.

Though, I would see if they could sign Mike Cameron to a low cost deal considering his suspension. Also, did Milton Bradley get cut loose? They could stick him out there.
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post Dec 1 2007, 02:47 PM
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id love to see Gardner get a shot, but who knows.
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post Dec 5 2007, 08:05 AM
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I completely agree that Melky is almost a throw-in to the deal, particularly because everyone knows the NYY can go and sign someone like Rowand that will be better in every facet of the game.

I think that has actually been one of the big holdups in this Santana trade. Sure, Melky has value to Minn... but they also know he doesn't have much to NYY... so why should they think his inclusion in the deal limits what they can get from New York? I imagine if NYY offer Hughes + 2 other top prospects + Melky as the throw-in, they'll take it. It's basically the Sox offer, with an upgraded version of Lester, Lowrie, and Masterson.

From the Sox perspective, it's too bad Lowrie didn't taste a little success at the ML level in Sept. last year... I think it might've boosted his value some.
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post Today, 06:31 AM
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this trade is taking it's sweeeet time isnt' it?

As for Melky's value to the Yanks, well it looks like it's up now since most of the other CFs are signed adn the only guy remaining is a. 35 b. suspended for drugs for 25 game c. whiffs with the best of them d. might warrent a multi year deal.

Considering the health issue on the team's OFers, Melky does have some realistic value to the Yankees, with some hope of improvement given his age. it's certainly nothing to hold over for Santana obviously, but not like they're going to just throw him away for a crappy RP / Utlity guy.

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=gammons_peter

On a Caribbean beach, it is wonderful not to read or listen to lawyer-speak and lawyer-leak. There are drawbacks, such as no Morning Joe or MLBrumors.com on my BlackBerry, but until we know why there is any reason that Brian McNamee would possibly lie or why Roger Clemens would risk it all by testifying under oath and risk jail time, we need to do a little power-yoga breathing and relax.

What is worrisome is that, as Barry Bonds and Clemens have entered the journalistic world of Britney Spears and Larry Craig, we are back in the winter of 1994-95, when the strike cancelled a World Series and left us with Bud Selig and Donald Fehr as the faces and voices of the game. Then, we had then-Marlins owner Wayne Huizenga destroying his franchise as he told fans that beer league veterans liked the game more than real players. Now, we have steroids as the storyline for the 2008 season and the only subject of questions Brian Roberts and Eric Gagne will face.

It may be two years before baseball restores its public trust. If Ryan Howard, Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz are in a battle to get to 60 homers, how will the court of public opinion judge them? Will people really care?

A couple of years ago when the Jason Grimsley testimony was made public, several media outlets thought a Kansas City trainer who had worked with Pujols was named. In Boston, no matter how fair WEEI host Dale Arnold -- who is as fair and balanced as anyone -- tried to be, the gist of the callers' comments was that Pujols must be a fraud. As it turned out, the report was incorrect, but the questions were raised about Pujols, and will be about any player who puts up extraordinary numbers.

Baseball's heroes are stained, and whether the union likes it or not, it's up to the players to rebuild the trust. It will take more than greeting fans at the gates on Opening Day; the majority of clean players have to insist on drug testing and a concerted effort to give their time to rebuilding the bridge with the public. It's time for players to do more than talk about a level playing field. It's time to insist that the union put down its shield and reach out, because baseball faces a serious recession.

It does no good to throw blame. Bud Selig wishes he had better understood what was going on, and when he tried to purge himself with the Mitchell report, what he got from his esteemed friend was a document that not only would have been graded as incomplete, but left Selig bleeding. To his credit, Selig continues to agonize. There are vast conspiracy theories -- the most ridiculous is that George Bush knew what was going on in Texas, when most people who knew Bush and Tom Schieffer when they owned the Rangers believe they were such rebels they would have released every player they thought was breaking the law. But he fact remains that there is no concrete proof of the underground allegations.

When baseball came off the strike in 1995, it was a $1.3 billion industry. This past season, baseball was a $6.2 billion industry, but the business is not going to continue to skew upward.

It needs Ortiz, Derek Jeter, A-Rod, Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Vlad Guerrero, C.C. Sabathia, Grady Sizemore, Justin Verlander, Russell Martin, Jake Peavy, Hunter Pence, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jon Lester, Joba Chamberlain, Torii Hunter, Joe Mauer, David Wright, Jose Reyes, Jeff Francoeur, Chipper Jones and hundreds of other players to take back their game, their business, their passion.

Human rights are important, but right now the restoration of faith in a badly tainted business is more important. It's not solely Selig's responsibility; it's the responsibility of everyone making money in the business -- players, agents, owners, media outlets -- to take the public eye away from the tawdry, shabby lawyer talk and remind the public why some of us love to watch Jeter and Josh Beckett, Johan Santana and Pujols, Hanley Ramirez and Martin play.

Don't blame Jose Canseco or McNamee for scorching the earth. Blame the pacifist players. Fielder could hit 74 home runs this season and have to live with scrutiny, innuendo and doubt, because the game has lost a huge chunk of its credibility.

Don't ask owners for your level playing field or respect. Look in the mirror and ask your union. Bonds and Clemens may be the two greatest players of the last quarter century, and right now they are despised.

And Howard, Fielder and Pujols might pay the price.

http://riveraveblues.com/2008/01/10/hank-players-santana-we-dont-need-no-stinkin-santana-1958/





Hank Steinbrenner: the gift that keeps on giving! Gotta love him. Maybe.

One day after we wrote about how Hank is conducting Johan Santana contract negotiations through Kat O’Brien, we get yet another spin on the Johan Santana story. This one comes to us from Pete Caldera, and this time, Hank says that other players on the Yankees think they can win without Santana.

Well, gosh, I sure do hope the Yanks have a good sense of self-confidence. I wouldn’t want them to say they think they’re going to finish behind the Orioles if they don’t land Santana.

Anyway, some relevant bits:

While speaking to some of his trusted veteran Yankees on other matters, senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner also has sought input about a possible deal for Johan Santana.

According to the majority opinion of his players, the team doesn’t need to make a blockbuster deal with the Minnesota Twins to put them over the top. “Nobody would say that we don’t want Santana, but, yeah, they’re pretty darn confident in what we can do this year [as is],” Steinbrenner said during a phone conversation Tuesday…

“We’re still throwing it around and talking about it. It may happen, or it may not happen,” Steinbrenner said. “But a few of our best players seem very confident in the way that things stand right now.”

Hank wouldn’t say which players don’t think they need Santana. However, as Caldera notes, Jorge Posada himself a few months ago said the Yanks sure could use the power lefty on the team.

Additionally, Steinbrenner noted that the Yankees are still in the Santana race despite a deadline because that deadline applied only to the discussions at the Winter Meetings. “Originally, I set a deadline … because the winter meetings [are] a circus,” Steinbrenner said. “And I’m not going to be played against another team.”

Anyway, despite the talk, the Mets may have the inside track on Santana. If the Yanks’ crosstown rivals add prospect Fernando Martinez to their offer, they may emerge as the frontrunners to land Santana.

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/yankees/13553732.html

Wednesday, January 9, 2008
BY PETE CALDERA


While speaking to some of his trusted veteran Yankees on other matters, senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner also has sought input about a possible deal for Johan Santana.

According to the majority opinion of his players, the team doesn't need to make a blockbuster deal with the Minnesota Twins to put them over the top.

"Nobody would say that we don't want Santana, but, yeah, they're pretty darn confident in what we can do this year [as is]," Steinbrenner said during a phone conversation Tuesday.

Steinbrenner said "a lot of factors" are involved in a potential deal for Santana, and mentioned that the Yankees already have the highest payroll in baseball.

"We're still throwing it around and talking about it. It may happen, or it may not happen," Steinbrenner said. "But a few of our best players seem very confident in the way that things stand right now."

Steinbrenner would not reveal which veteran players he had spoken to, but offered that "they feel fairly confident that we've got a lot of great young pitchers."

More than a month ago, before Andy Pettitte was re-signed, Jorge Posada was one veteran who came out in favor of a deal. "We need a No. 1, and I think that's one of the reasons we're going after Santana," Posada said at the time.

Steinbrenner said he hasn't thought about a deal with Minnesota over the past few days, and that he's "not particularly concerned" about the possibility of Santana being traded to another club.

"That's not putting him down," Steinbrenner said. "He's clearly a tremendous pitcher. It's just whether this is best [for our club]."

Steinbrenner said he feels that the Yankees "still probably have the best offer" available for Santana, but later added that "we're all very confident in [Phil] Hughes."

Hughes has been linked as the key component in a potential deal, along with center fielder Melky Cabrera, and right-handed prospect Jeff Marquez. The Twins seem to be seeking at least one more significant prospect to make a deal.

Santana also would command a significant extension, possibly near $150 million, from his new club. Apparently, there is no deadline as far as the Yankees are concerned.

"Originally, I set a deadline ... because the winter meetings [are] a circus," Steinbrenner said. "And I'm not going to be played against another team."

While Steinbrenner has been portrayed as being in favor of a trade, general manager Brian Cashman and general partner Hal Steinbrenner, Hank's younger brother, seem more concerned with the impact on the luxury tax, and more reluctant to part with young stars under the club's control for several years.

While speaking to some of his trusted veteran Yankees on other matters, senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner also has sought input about a possible deal for Johan Santana.

Alex Rodriguez and the Yankees are confident they will contend for the World Series in 2008.

According to the majority opinion of his players, the team doesn't need to make a blockbuster deal with the Minnesota Twins to put them over the top.

"Nobody would say that we don't want Santana, but, yeah, they're pretty darn confident in what we can do this year [as is]," Steinbrenner said during a phone conversation Tuesday.

Steinbrenner said "a lot of factors" are involved in a potential deal for Santana, and mentioned that the Yankees already have the highest payroll in baseball.

"We're still throwing it around and talking about it. It may happen, or it may not happen," Steinbrenner said. "But a few of our best players seem very confident in the way that things stand right now."

Steinbrenner would not reveal which veteran players he had spoken to, but offered that "they feel fairly confident that we've got a lot of great young pitchers."

More than a month ago, before Andy Pettitte was re-signed, Jorge Posada was one veteran who came out in favor of a deal. "We need a No. 1, and I think that's one of the reasons we're going after Santana," Posada said at the time.

Steinbrenner said he hasn't thought about a deal with Minnesota over the past few days, and that he's "not particularly concerned" about the possibility of Santana being traded to another club.

"That's not putting him down," Steinbrenner said. "He's clearly a tremendous pitcher. It's just whether this is best [for our club]."

Steinbrenner said he feels that the Yankees "still probably have the best offer" available for Santana, but later added that "we're all very confident in [Phil] Hughes."

Hughes has been linked as the key component in a potential deal, along with center fielder Melky Cabrera, and right-handed prospect Jeff Marquez. The Twins seem to be seeking at least one more significant prospect to make a deal.

Santana also would command a significant extension, possibly near $150 million, from his new club. Apparently, there is no deadline as far as the Yankees are concerned.

"Originally, I set a deadline ... because the winter meetings [are] a circus," Steinbrenner said. "And I'm not going to be played against another team."

While Steinbrenner has been portrayed as being in favor of a trade, general manager Brian Cashman and general partner Hal Steinbrenner, Hank's younger brother, seem more concerned with the impact on the luxury tax, and more reluctant to part with young stars under the club's control for several years.

http://www.soxandpinstripes.com/

Baseball America published the list of Boston's Top Ten Prospects in its latest issue. It is similar to the rankings I wrote in my post on Christmas Day.

Most publications agree that Clay Buchholz and Jacoby Ellsbury are the two best prospects in the Red Sox farm system. The No. 3 prospect is especially subject for debate. I have seen some media sites place Jed Lowrie or Justin Masterson in the third spot. I agree with Baseball America. Lars Anderson is Boston's third best prospect.

The Sox farm system is well-stocked with promising pitchers, infielders and outfielders. Catching is still an issue, as it is for most Major League teams. Mark Wagner, who will likely begin the 2008 season at Double-A Portland, is opening eyes. Dusty Brown and George Kottaras are catchers who will probably start the season at Triple-A Pawtucket.

Here is Baseball America's Top Ten list:

1. Clay Buchholz, starting pitcher
2. Jacoby Ellsbury, center fielder
3. Lars Anderson, first base
4. Justin Masterson, pitcher
5. Jed Lowrie, shortstop/second base
6. Ryan Kalish, outfielder
7. Michael Bowden, starting pitcher
8. Nick Hagadone, pitcher
9. Oscar Tejeda, shortstop
10. Josh Reddick, outfielder

As part of its' top prospects report on the Red Sox, Baseball America includes Boston's projected 2011 lineup. The lineup is based on players currently in the Red Sox organization at the big league and minor league levels. Here it is:

* Catcher - Mark Wagner
* First Base - Lars Anderson
* Second Base - Dustin Pedroia
* Shortstop - Jed Lowrie
* Third Base - Kevin Youkilis
* Left Field - Ryan Kalish
* Center Field - Jacoby Ellsbury
* Right Field - Josh Reddick
* DH - David Ortiz
* No. 1 Starter - Josh Beckett
* No. 2 Starter - Clay Buchholz
* No. 3 Starter - Daisuke Matsuzaka
* No. 4 Starter - Jon Lester
* No. 5 Starter - Michael Bowden
* Closer - Jonathan Papelbon

Baseball America bases this list on in-house candidates because, obviously, the staffers cannot forecast trades and free agent signings. I agree with the rotation. Of course, between now and 2011, an injury could occur and/or Michael Bowden may not develop as expected. I think it is safe to say that Beckett, Buchholz, Matsuzaka and Lester will be solid Major League starters in 2011. Beckett and Dice-K already are.

I am not convinced that Wagner is the answer behind the plate. I envision the Sox trading for a young catcher, or signing a free agent option, when Varitek retires. Hopefully, Boston can develop a catcher of the future, a task easier said than done.

The farm system is loaded with third base candidates - including Oscar Tejeda (who is a shortstop right now but might be moved to third base) and Will Middlebrooks. If Lars Anderson develops as expected, I can envision Boston eventually trading Kevin Youkilis or letting him walk as a free agent. Tejeda and Middlebrooks are highly regarded, but they have a long path before they reach the big leagues.

I do think that two-thirds of Boston's outfield will be eventually occupied by Ellsbury and Kalish, as long as one or the other is not shipped to Minnesota in a deal for Johan Santana. Reddick is very promising, but the Sox will likely trade for or sign a premium bat when Manny Ramirez retires. The Sox will likely pick up Ramirez's options for 2009 and 2010, but they will need an impact hitter to replace him in 2011.

You can read the full Baseball America report on the Red Sox top prospects at http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/features/265385.html

If you would like to learn more about any of the names mentioned in Baseball America's report, I encourage you to visit http://www.soxprospects.com, a must-read site for die-hard Red Sox fan