Huston Street's available?

Boy, that Yankees front office, a real picture of vision, decisiveness, leadership and conviction. An office that knows what it wants. Steady, stable. Ha! First they want him, then they don't. Oh wait, we want him again, no we don't. We want him. Psych! No we don't.

You Yankess fans must be feeling pretty good. That front office has everything under control

Just when I thought I was done hearing about Santana and the Steinbrenner Ego for a while, up it pops again. It's like those random terror threats Bush used to issue when his approval ratings got too low to scare people into disliking him less. Why is this even news? Most of us pretty much forgot the Yankees were even trying to get Johan..again.

Heck, none of it even matters: There's already a new king in the AL, and it's not even from the East. The wonderful thing about Tiggers, is Tiggers are wonderful things!

........and they don't take up a bunch of space on The National Sports Enquirer aka ESPN like the Yankees and whatever Boston flavor of the week is out there

it's a pretty silly argument. there is no one that has santana's stuff. and he's a lefty. really a no-brainer about his talent. what becomes complicated is how much (in talent) a team should give up for him knowing that he'll almost definitely walk at the end of the year. lots of posturing going on.

Hey Yanks,
If you want to learn how to build a team take a look at the Red Sox!

Ok while I have said before that going into this season I don't consider the Yankees to be better than the Sox, but I draw the line at the Jays. I don't consider their rotation to be competitive past Doc and Burnett, even then that comes with questions. While Glaus sucked, the lineup loses power without him as no disrespect but you don't fear Eckstein and Rolen for power. They are more comparative to Youk and Pedroia in that they are annoying contact hitters, but not as good as them either.

Generally nothing to get worried about in my mind.

One nice thing about being a Twins fan is the thought of having the two most devistating leftys in the majors this year! Did we all forget that Liriano is coming back this year and is healthy as a horse?? He had even better stats in every category than Santana when he was with us for those 12 games before he had Tommy John surgery...if he comes back anything like he was before, everyone is in trouble, not just the AL Central!!!

if the Yankees want to build a winning team, they should look to the Red Sox? You're kidding right? The Red Sox have won because they've gotten lucky in spending a lot of money. The Yankees simply haven't had big money work out for them (see Giambi, Pavano, etc.). So keep spending Boston, while New York actually starts rebuilding.

that's pretty much what i'm saying joey. one saving grace on my tigers going against santana is that it has always been feast or famine. he will either give up five/six in the first (and still get nine k's), or shut you down the whole way.

keepingkoolaid - you need to finish that statement though. js wants to be in minny, for the right price. twins just aren't going to give him what the market will. maybe he wants to be there, but he's not an idiot, he knows his value.

there is a reason the season is played on the field. look at what twins did in '06. with a solid O and liriano returning to form, the twinkies could contend.

More Smoke - From Yanks This Time

According to an ESPN Report, "For the second time this offseason, the Yankees have pulled their Phil Hughes-centered trade offer for Johan Santana off the table."

But wait a tic, wasn't that offer ALREADY off the table?

According to this January 10 New York Times report (and numerous other reports, I might add), that offer has not been on the table for some time now.

Quoting from that story: [Hank] Steinbrenner, the club?s top-ranking executive, said he did not want the Twins to think the Yankees were completely out of the picture, but he said their offer of four players, including Phil Hughes and Melky Cabrera, was no longer available for the taking.

?I think they like our offer best,? he said. ?But that offer isn?t on the table, where it?s up to them to take it. It?s up to what we want to do.?

So, presumably, the ESPN report today is about how the Yankees "pulled an offer" that was not on the table to begin with... STOP THE PRESSES!

Of course, today's report also goes on to say the Yankees are out on the Santana Sweepstakes UNLESS Hank Steinbrenner changes his mind.

The report also includes a quote from the new face of the front office, who says his team is "not going to chase anything."

This, of course, is nothing new. The Yankees words and, more importantly, their actions have made that much clear.

However, based on the reports of what's been offered, it appears that the Bombers have made the best offer of the three teams reported to be involved in a potential deal with the Twins. So from that standpoint, there is really nothing to chase. Certainly the Yankees believe that's the case.

It should also be mentioned that there is a BIG difference between OUT of the Santana Sweepstakes and "not chasing."

Are we really to believe the Yankees are not willing to make the same deal for Santana today that they were willing to make yesterday?, last week?, or last month?

I seriously doubt it.

We told you here there was more smoke coming between now and the time a deal is actually made for Santana. You may consider this just another puff.

oh, and a comment about the Yankees apparently pulling out of the Johan sweepstakes..

I do not believe this will lessen the offers for Johan, but i do believe this is fantastic news for the Sox, and for some reason i think it gives them more leverage in the Johan deal..

I think that If the yankees all of a sudden Change their mind and want back in on the Johan sweepstakes, then Bill Smith has soo much leverage over Hank its ridiculous..
Smith is tired of Hank and the Yankees, so unless they would come in with a much improved trade package, then Smith will simply say no.

Theo knows what he is doing, he has a good offer for Johan and i think the yanks will react if their is talk that johan is going to the sox.. plus, if the sox know the yanks our out of it.. who says they wont do a minor upgrade in their offer to simply get the deal done..

Not sure, But i think with the Yanks pulling out i have a hunch things may improve..

crazy thinking.. i know

i think since the yankees are out that bill smith will just say “sorry hank im tired of you… bye” and the mets will come in and win a trade vs the yankees.. something they havnt done in a very long time.. they will add martinez and get this deal done.. though i wish they could take humber out and do pelfrey instead. pelfrey looks like he needs a change in teams..

Also, So The Jays rotation are better than Yankees because of inexperience in Yankees rotation. Hughes,Joba, Kennedy

Bj Ryan are coming back from Tj surgery. . Blah Blah..

Halladay,Burnett,Mcgowan.Chacin,Litsch?

More Santana Smoke - This Time From the Yanks

http://yankeesnmore.blogspot.com/


According to a report that just his the wires, "For the second time this offseason, the Yankees have pulled their Phil Hughes-centered trade offer for Johan Santana off the table."

But wait a tic, wasn't that offer ALREADY off the table?

According to this January 10 New York Times report, that offer has not been on the table for some time now.

Quoting from that story: [Hank] Steinbrenner, the club’s top-ranking executive, said he did not want the Twins to think the Yankees were completely out of the picture, but he said their offer of four players, including Phil Hughes and Melky Cabrera, was no longer available for the taking.

“I think they like our offer best,” he said. “But that offer isn’t on the table, where it’s up to them to take it. It’s up to what we want to do.”

So, presumably, the ESPN report today is about how the Yankees "pulled an offer" that was not on the table to begin with... STOP THE PRESSES!

Of course, today's report also goes on to say the Yankees are out on the Santana Sweepstakes UNLESS Hank Steinbrenner changes his mind.

The report also includes a quote from the new face of the front office, who says his team is "not going to chase anything."

This, of course, is nothing new. The Yankees words and, more importantly, their actions have made that much clear.

However, based on the reports of what's been offered, it appears that the Bombers have made the best offer of the three teams reported to be involved in a potential deal with the Twins. So from that standpoint, there is really nothing to chase. Certainly the Yankees believe that's the case.

It should also be mentioned that there is a BIG difference between OUT of the Santana Sweepstakes and "not chasing."

Are we really to believe the Yankees are not willing to make the same deal for Santana today that they were willing to make yesterday?, last week?, or last month?

I seriously doubt it.

We told you here there was more smoke coming between now and the time a deal is actually made for Santana. You may consider this just another puff.

joey another dumb red sox fan...jeeze...do all the dumb ones come to these threads? tell me joey...whos the second highest payroll in baseball? and answer me this question...all u red sox fans claim since the yankees have the highest payroll they should have the best team...so if the yankees dont win the world series who SHOULD win...the red sox cause they have the second highest...dont think they dont pay for their championships either u shmuck


"bryan lets be fair. the sox have some good homegrown talent too. I for one wouldnt want to bat against j paps in the ninth, and not just because he looks like is going to sexually assault the batter."

haha that's hilarious. papelbon is a character, that's for sure. you guys read that his dog ate the last out from the ws. awesome!



BruanV.I think its Ironic that you say that because I tuelly think the Red Sox learned from the Yankees.Young GM .Sighned big names.Spent lots of money.


lonestar...i disagree...red sox have also had terrible signings...jd drew (yeah i remember the playoffs - lucky) lugo, crisp, and others...just ONE trade worked out AWESOME for them, hey gotta give them credit trading away a player like hanley ramirez who is ridiculous to get a guy like becket...hes the reason they won


Bryan are you crazy? Have you seen the Yankees payroll? They do nothing but spend spend spend and they STILL CAN'T WIN!!! Give it up and come up with a better philosophy! All a team full of superstars does is try to build stats, that's not going to win games...look at what they did with A-Rod...giving him bonuses for the home runs he hits? So when the game is tied in the 9th with runners on, he's thinking about $$$ and not the team, not winning, not being a team player....home runs don't always win games...look at the twins and how they play small ball...the yanks spend more money than any other team in baseball so don't point fingers at Boston....Boston is just an all around better team than the yanks...New York will never "rebuild"...they still think they can buy a world series...good luck out east new york!


Bryan - I think that is the point. If the Yankees were spending wisely like the Red Sox have been, they would be hated more...if that is possible. The Yankees just throw money around and it doesnt matter how good the players are. The Red Sox for the most part have been smart with where they are throwing their money at. And dont think I am a Boston homie, I hate both Boston and NY the same

Let me get this straight - Hank says he isn't desperate to make a deal, but he continues to initiate contact with Bill Smith and the Twins to get a deal done. Maybe if he cooled his jets a bit, he might get what he wants. Confuscious say don't use a cannonball to kill a mosquito. All he's doing is upping his own cost. When this is all done, you'll see why the Twins are a perennial contender with such a financial handicap.

As a Twins fan I dont see the rush to trade him. People it is January 14th season is still about two and a half months away. I agree if they do intend to deal him, deal him now when you get more value than at the trade deadline. But they still have a couple months to do something. What they are waiting for is someone to bite and throw in that extra chip they are looking for. And trust me someone will. The A's for Danny Harren got some pretty solid prospects back and Santana is a league above Haren. So the Twins should get considerable better deal than the A's got. I think they must trade him though, but Bill Smith wont be pushed around by the big bad Yankees and Red Sox



What's up, hk?

joey, you talk like Boston is spending $30 million a year. They may be around $50 million behind the Yanks in payroll, but remember that Giambi was getting $20 for little to nothing and Pavano was getting $10 for nothing. They got Giambi after an MVP season in Oakland, while he was young, so they weren't the only ones expecting him to do something. And while Pavano hadn't done it as long as others, he still had the best year out of any pitcher on the Marlins (and that included Beckett).

The Yankees have changed. Anyone that thinks the Yankees would still have 3 young, top-level, pitchers on their team 5 years ago is nuts.



hey hkrant, I'm definately not a sox fan...I was born and raised in Minny, and I am nothing but a Twins fan...I'm just saying...using the excuse that the sox are doing better "buying players" is a cop out! With the talent on the yankees, they damn near shouldn't lose a game!!! What I'm saying is, a team full of superstars can't have that cohesiveness that wins championships because everyone wants to be the one on the front page of the Times!

Minnesota will be kicking themselves when Melky wins the Gold Glove at center next year, and when Hughes is winning Cy Youngs. Santana will walk away next Oct. 1st and walk right into a pinstriped uni as the first person to pitch in New Yankee Stadium

QUOTE(jlyanks85 @ Jan 14 2008, 02:29 PM) *
they've been saying that about the blue jays for the last 3 yrs, how they'll overtake the yanks or red sox in the division and they never do. I'll believe it when I see it


They did pass the Red Sox in 2006.


Sure they have a chance. They upgraded their defense by adding Rolen and subtracting Glaus and I love their pitching. They have the second best depth behind the Red Sox with Halladay, AJ, Marcum, Litsch and McGowan in the rotation and then their pen with Accardo, Downs, Janssen and Tallet would be the hands down best pen in baseball if they get BJ Ryan back. Their problem is scoring runs .. If they start scoring runs.. Watch out.

People just dont like to hear anything negative about their team. It's amazing how thin skinned people are. Hey it's his opinion and frankly it's not crazy. Looking at this Yankee rotation and bullpen, this is not going to be a stellar final season at the stadium and Toronto has alot of talent and a better pitching staff. All that being said the Yanks will still find a way to finish above Toronto but still way behind Boston and Detroit. You win with pitching and this management here just dont seem to get it. So another year of watching inconsistent starting pitching and a big mess in the late innings with Hawkins and Farnsworth trying unsuccessfully to get the ball to a not so dominant anymore Mariano. But the team will hit its way to the wild card again and lose in the first round where pitching takes center stage. Same stor

runnineh--so the Yankees have solid veterans, all of which have at least a few good years left in them, solid young guys, and other solid prospects. I feel so bad for them. What a terrible predicament.

redsox fan here yes the bosox are 2 in payroll by a big margin, however the bosox are smarter at spenfing their money then the yanks (even though all their moves dont pan out), but let me say something about the yankees there in a good/tough position b/c look at their roster they have all star caliber players such as rivera and posada who are still very good, signed for the next 4 yrs but they can only maintain/decline in performance, they have alot of guys in their mid thirtees such as Pettite, abreu, damon, matsui, jeter, arod who will maintain their stats or decline and then they have younger talent (wang, cabrera, cano) who will only get better and then they have really young players (juba, hughes, kennedy who have alot of potential but who kows what theyll do) so the yanks have a tough scenario are they better off keeping hughes with these players or are they better getting santana at whatveer the costs

That pitching staff is still pretty damn impressive, and what a luxury to have Mussina as a 5th,6th starter when one of the young guys hits the wall.

Posted by: forlife61 | January 14, 2008 at 11:53 AM

Ha Ha !

I think it looks like the Jays have a legitimate shot at getting 2nd place in the division this year !

Posted by: BaseBallz | January 14, 2008 at 11:53 AM

This is a freaking joke. If I was Brian Cashman, I'd quit and see who wants me because working for these whack jobs has probably already cost him 5 years at the end of his life due to stress. Have you seen how much he seems to have aged? It's like those before and after shots of presidents.

That being said, the Yankees rotation is pretty shaky and would've been with Santana. I wouldn't trust Pettite, or Mussina and would only have marginal trust in the other three (more in Wang than the other two though) until the show consistency. With Santana you have an obvious #1 but then what? The Red Sox still have more.

Posted by: CubFan81 | January 14, 2008 at 11:55 AM

Long Term? Pretty strong.
Short Term? Not so much. Pettitte and Wang are horses, but after that, you've got a lot of guys who need their IP to be watched. Hughes, Joba and possibly Kennedy can't be counted on for enough innings, they're going to burn out the bullpen by July.

Posted by: Papelboner | January 14, 2008 at 12:00 PM

With that rotation, the Yankees' only chance of getting the Wild Card is if they score 7 runs a game. We'll see soon enough just how overhyped their beloved pitching prospects are.

The only reason they "pulled their offer off the table" is that they knew the Twins liked both the Red Sox and Mets packages better... this allows them to save face and posture for their fans when either their Division rival or their geographical rival ends up with the best pitcher in baseball while their rotation is getting the snot knocked out of them all year.

Posted by: JimCrikket | January 14, 2008 at 12:02 PM

Its definitely the right move long term. Wang, Hughes and Chamberlain plus a big free agent sets up for a very strong 2009 staff. As CubFan said, even with Santana, the Yanks staff isn't a given in 2008. Pettitte always has the elbow worries, Mussina could be finished and Hughes and Chamberlain are both looking at their first year starting. Treat 2008 as a "great if it happens, if not 2009 will be huge" type of season and think big picture. Tons of free agents and tons of money coming off the payroll which means a 2009 roster featuring both Teixeira and Sabathia isn't unrealistic at all.

(Also, I'll be stunned if Cashman doesn't walk after this season. Even with all the time he's put in with the Yanks, this has to be too much. Given full control in 2006 only to lose it 2 years later. That GM search should be absolutely terrifying if all of Cashman's analytical inroads are blown up.)

Posted by: Not Joe Morgan | January 14, 2008 at 12:05 PM

Honestly - they will still win close to 100 games.

When you look at the rotation as of a year ago - you're actually seeing an improvement over a team that won over 90 games.

The Yankees had to deal with starts from a lot of guys that weren't ready. The youngsters appear to be ready and this will help them. Moose also pitched well for a bit but then fatigued - so he may perform better considering they can skip him every once in a while. If the three youngsters perform to the league average - the Yankees will probably win 100 games. The Yankees offense will pick up the slack in bad games....

Posted by: gs | January 14, 2008 at 12:08 PM

They are much more likely to be solid a year from now. Believe it or not Mussina will open the season as a starter and Joba will still be in the bullpen. His arm is not ready for a huge jump in innings, so the Yanks will wait until at least the break before they begin using him as a starter (unless of course they become desperate).

If they were able to acquire Johan, it would reinforce the mentality of the Yankees that we have all come to know and love in that they are a "win now" franchise. It doesn't seem realistic that they can compete in the playoffs with inferior rotations to the Red Sox, Indians, and possibly the Tigers as well. It could be another rough year for the Yankees.

Posted by: The Juice | January 14, 2008 at 12:10 PM

That's a starting rotation of 1 good pitcher with 2 ticking time bombs and 2 unproven commodities.

Pettite was lucky to post an ERA of 4.05 last year. The H+BB/IP is scary (almost 1.5)!! Does he get better or worse in his 14th year??

Mussina's 2007 ERA was 5.15. Ick!!

Counting on Hughes and Chamberlain is dangerous. Having them is great.

Can the Yankees finish ahead of the Red Sox? Sure. Is it likely with this rotation? Not really.

The Yankees should have offered Hughes + 3 of any prospects in their system not named Ian Kennedy.

Posted by: delaware_bird | January 14, 2008 at 12:11 PM

Umm, before conting the Yanks out of the post-season, people do realize that Carl Pavano was their opening day starter in 2007, and they managed to make the post-season. And Kei Igawa started several games for them. And Chase Wright was a starter. And yet they made the post-season. This is not the most stable rotation in the world but they have the offense and resources (mid-season trades are possible) to still compete with it.

Posted by: Nick from Washington Heights | January 14, 2008 at 12:31 PM

My view? Good. We changed direction a couple of years ago to try to get a decent farm system; it started to show through last year. We should show some faith, and it's only going to get better. Signing Santana to god knows what contract and giving up decent young players would be a backward step.

Posted by: Lockie | January 14, 2008 at 12:32 PM

I believe their rotations is fine as is. As soon as Yankees fans stop expecting to win every year and place patience in the youth and direction of their favorite organization, this team will be primed for contention in 2 years.

Posted by: JaketheSnizake | January 14, 2008 at 12:35 PM

Wang should be fine.

Pettitte overall had a great season last year, with his stats suffering a bit due to the bullpen and offense consistently failing on him in the first half. His final start of the year, which he treated like a spring training game and wasn't trying to win, bloated his stats as well.

Mussina, well, he hasn't been anything you could count on for several years now.

But Hughes / Joba / Kennedy are a significant upgrade over Pavano / Igwawa / Karstens / Rasner and the rest of the minor league crew they threw out there last year for a large number of starts.

The bullpen should be better this year, as the crop of pitchers expected to get callups this year is better than the crop from last year. I'm less concerned about the bullpen being worn out this year, as (1) the AAA depth is better this year and (2) Just about anyone could manage a bullpen better than Joe Torre did, so they shouldn't be as worn out this year.

Posted by: yanksfan | January 14, 2008 at 12:40 PM

Red Sox opening day 2007 pitchers:

Curt Schilling
Josh Beckett
Daisuke Matsuzaka
Tim Wakefield
Julian Tavarez

New York Yankees opening day 2007 pitchers:

Chien-Ming Wang
Andy Pettitte
Mike Mussina
Carl Pavano
Kei Igawa

(Regular season only), Red Sox finished with 96 wins. The Yankees finished with 94.

I wouldn't be surprised with similar totals this year, as both teams improved their rotations through the use of younger pitchers.

Posted by: V | January 14, 2008 at 12:41 PM

"I believe their rotations is fine as is. As soon as Yankees fans stop expecting to win every year and place patience in the youth and direction of their favorite organization, this team will be primed for contention in 2 years."

...Its not the Fans patience you should be worried about ~ its Hanks! Although he doesn’t have total control (yet), he is proving himself to be much more of a loose cannon than even his dad… If his brother gets tired of fighting for what he thinks is best, and he losses his similar-minded gameplan-thinking GM because Cashman walks… well who will stop Hank at that point?

Posted by: darkstar1661 | January 14, 2008 at 12:44 PM

There's already been talk of Joba moving to the bullpen to begin the year. It lets them cut down on his innings. Kennedy can take on a full workload so it makes sense to get him into the rotation if they think he can be reliable. As long as the long term plan is to use Joba as a starter, I think using him in the bullpen to cut down on innings will benefit the Yankees. Until Hank spills it, the organization has only said that there will be Joba Rules again this year, but we'll have to wait for Hankenstein to find out the details.

Posted by: gonyanks21 | January 14, 2008 at 12:48 PM

I think Wang/Pettitte at the #1 and #2 spots and Hughes as a #3 make for a solid rotation showing a lot of different looks... Hard Sinker, Lefty Cutter, Power fastball.Curve respectively.

My concerns are certainly about Joba's longevity and the maintenance of his velocity - he seemed to have no trouble with this in the minor leagues last year up until august when he got the call up for relief. That said, throwing 30+ innings each in Aug/Sep, the dogdays of summer/playoff run, are a different animal.

Igawa, Mussina, Kennedy and Horne provide reasonable talent and depth in the rotation though. I really foresee Igawa making a huge improvement this year (not that this would be difficult considering a bad '07...)

Posted by: at4inthemornin | January 14, 2008 at 12:49 PM

BREAKING NEWS
Hank ate a box of Krispy Kremes and farted out a cruller. Yankees offer is BACK on the table with aforementioned prospects + new cruller.
The Mets contemplate a 5-for-1 prospect/danish/bagel offer. But the Red Sox hold firm and refuse to give up their Dunkin Donuts gift cards.

More to follow...

Posted by: el clash combo | January 14, 2008 at 12:52 PM

i would still want Joba Chamberlain at setup.. i can't emphasize enough the importance of a lights-out setup guy.. the 1-run and 2-run wins add up big time

i'm sure Joba would do great as a starter, but i think the Yankees have enough quality starters (Pettitte, Wang, Hughes, Moose, Kennedy) to afford Joba at setup

the second half of 2007 is a more accurate look at what 2008 might start out like.. and that means Joba at setup

Posted by: levelboss | January 14, 2008 at 12:53 PM

disagree:

Joba has shown he has great stuff and makeup to be a set-up guy... but why waste your top prospect on 55-70 innings of relief?

I think it is imperative for the Yankees to give Joba a shot at the starting rotation -- if they find that his stuff doesn't hold up into the latter innings, then fine, delegate him to the bullpen. There is no way the Yankees don't start him off in the rotation.

Posted by: at4inthemornin | January 14, 2008 at 12:56 PM

As a Blue Jay fan I am absolutely thrilled that the Yankees are passing up the chance to acquire Santana because of Ian Kennedy. If the Jays are healthy this year they will finish 2nd to Boston in the AL East. The Yanks have no shot of catching Cleveland and Detroit with that rotation.

Posted by: 92-93 | January 14, 2008 at 12:57 PM

Well, the rotation is most certainly better than last year. And the Yankees won 94 games last year. And any injury concerns with Pettitte are right out the window. He just posted his third straight year of 200+ IP. He is less of an injury risk than Beckett.

And Boston's vaunted rotation is way, way overhyped. It's performance relies on another career year from Beckett, as well as Dice-K improving drastically, which he had shown no indication of doing whatsoever last year. Actually, no Japanese starting pitcher has gotten better after his first year in the majors. Odds are very much against Mr. Matsuzaka. Schilling is just another year older, and a huge injury risk. You know what you're getting from Wakefield, 200 innings of 4.50 ball. Assuming he doesn't injure himself, the old codger. I like Buchholz very much, but Lester is really not much to speak of. They've got depth at the major league level (although notably very, very little past that), but only one proven, non-injury risk starter. On paper, the Angels still have the best rotation by far in the major leagues. No one is even close, not even Toronto.

Posted by: Andrew | January 14, 2008 at 12:58 PM

Both Boston and Toronto's rotations are better than LAA's.

Posted by: 92-93 | January 14, 2008 at 01:00 PM

Anyone who criticizes the Yanks for not getting Santana just doesnt get it. Who would you rather have in 2009? Santana or Sabathia AND Hughes AND $4 million AND Melky AND Horne.

Posted by: finite24 | January 14, 2008 at 01:20 PM

Really? John Lackey, Kelvim Escobar, and Jered Weaver are by far and away better than Beckett/Dice-K/Schilling, with Halladay/Burnett/McGowan being a little closer. Add into the fact that the Angels have guys like Jon Garland, Joe Saunders, Dustin Moseley, Ervin Santana, they have the best top 3, and better depth than either team. Rotation-wise, on paper, the Angels win out, I think pretty clearly. And they're not too bad in the bullpen either, but admittedly Boston has gotten everyone beaten there.

Posted by: Andrew | January 14, 2008 at 01:23 PM

Am I the only one who noticed that there isn't any actual news in the Marchand report? It's just recycled Hank quotes and an un-named source pretending that something new has happened.

As for the Yankees' pitching, it will be just fine with that offense. They certainly could stand to be stronger at the front end of the rotation and in the bullpen beyond Rivera. But they have considerable depth in both areas. The real question is not whether they have a legitimate ace as of right now -- they don't -- but whether they have one by September 1. That ace could be Hughes or Chamberlain or someone they trade for during ST or at the deadline.

Posted by: mac_1103 | January 14, 2008 at 01:32 PM

There are a lot of questions in the rotation with 2 rookies, Mussina shakey at best last year, is Wang mentally shot from the playoffs, and is petitte mentally shot from the Mitchelle report. They can be good, but nobody is a certainty for sure

Posted by: JayL78 | January 14, 2008 at 01:33 PM

Theo Esptein Flip Flopper or wearing a Gorilla outfit after coming back as Gm in 2005

Open Letter to Mr. Ken Rosenthal



Dear Mr Rosenthal,



Yes the Jays most certainly could finish ahead of the Yankees.

Other things that might happen may include;

1.Your "life partner" Dayn Perry NOT getting breast implants. .

2. You tipping your barber once in while so you dont have to walk around looking like that.

3. You getting a clue.

All three of those are as likely as the Jays finishing ahead of the Yankees.

One thing that bother me from last year when The Yankees was playing Jays, They did struggle hitting Jesse "Stinking" Litsch. He's finesse pitcher not power pitcher . He beat Yankees twice last year. Are you kidding me

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3195926



There was a story in the New York Times on January 10 that quoted Hank Steinbrenner as saying that offer was "no longer on the table" for the Twins...

So, presumably, the Yankees just pulled an offer that was not on the table to begin with???

More smoke...

More importantly, where is the larger majority of the Smoke either coming from or directed to??? The Twins and the Yankees...

Even Mets officials thought the report about their 4- or 5-for-1 deal the other day was "designed to get a response from the Yankees."

And what have we heard since we were kids about where there's smoke????

Santana to the Yanks is just a matter of time.

call me crazy.
but now with the yankees out of it.

i see a boston package of
ellsbury/lester/lowrie/masterson coming to minnesota for johan and perhaps rincon.

i realize boston is in perfect position to not have to give in and give the twins what they want.. but even tho they are not bidding against the yankees anymore, im sure boston would LOVE to get johan and not allow the yankees to have a chance at him Via Free Agency..

it really came down to boston and the yankees not wanting to get into a bidding war.. neither team wants to give up its young players.. and both teams have alot of prospects to give up..

plus boston knows that all the mets have are prospects.. and while jose reyes will not be coming to minnesota.. i think boston would still love to get johan.. remember.. they probably have schilling coming off the books after this year, possibly manny.

alright. ill put the kool aid away

I’m not sure how their package would impact the Twins, but I think Santana going to the Mets is a win for us Sox fans. As great as Santana is, the Mets still wouldn’t scare me to stop us from repeating (compared to Indians, Tigers, Yankees - AL) and we continue to develop our young players with that beautiful term “payroll flexibility” to fill holes (like Manny) in upcoming years.

Just as an insight from Boston - Everyone I know here is hoping the rumors that the Ellsbury deal is OFF the table are true, but that may just be an indication of how much we like watching the guy play (pretty damn exciting) and fans have been wrong before, I guess.

Sorry if people don't feel this warrants a new thread.

Read this on Wikipedia and haven't found anything to substantiate it or anything even close..Wish it were true

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Kazmir
on Dec. 4th, 2007 during the Baseball Winter Meetings it was reported that Kazmir was traded to the New York Yankees in a surprise blockbuster deal involving Jason Giambi, Ian Kennedy, two minor leaguers and cash considerations

baseball needs to put a salary cap in place if they are ever going to compete with football..sure the ratings arent bad but everyone knows what teams are contenders and what teams aren't..sure the tigers came from nowhere to compete and the twins and a's are small market teams that have a chance..but in all honesty the yankees blow money and so do the red sox if they werent spending so much money they would be mediocre at best..the yanks have made some terrible moves which have already been talked about and and the sox arent that much better..who ever said that theo and the steinbrenners would be outta a job if we had a cap in baseball was absolutely correct

I like that everyone has come around to my way of thinking on Santana. Cashman pretty much said on Yankees Hot stove that he does not want to trade a good package for Santana then pay him. I just hope Hank continues to listen to him.

News: Yanks Pull Hughes-Offer from Table


http://www.metsblog.com/2008/01/14/news-yanks-pull-hughes-offer-from-table/#comment-79990


“The Yankees have pulled their ‘Phil Hughes-centered trade offer’ for Johan Santana off the table,” reports ESPN sted in Johan Santana, Mets Rumors, Yankees on January 14th, 2008
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82 Comments »
Comment by jspicyn
2008-01-14 12:32:21

Boston needs him less than the Yankees. This means one thing: just a mere week or two before #57 is stitched onto the Mets uniform.
Reply to this comment
Comment by plasto
2008-01-14 12:33:29

Yup. Johan here we come … until Hank changes his mind again.

Damnit … I promised myself I wouldn’t get excited.
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Comment by gipper913
2008-01-14 14:10:41

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy….

Nope, can’t get that excited.

Oh, yes I can!!
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Comment by MetsRant
2008-01-14 12:36:58

Good.

So maybe we can land him without trading 17 of our best prospects. Smith must have shit his pants upon hearing Hank pull out.
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Comment by mad_mike
2008-01-14 13:30:26

That’s what he gets for playing his hand too long. People aren’t going to hang in this thing forever.
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Comment by tinathemetsgrl
2008-01-14 12:37:08

jump, for my love.
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Comment by Kalihan42
2008-01-14 12:39:06

I am with Matt on this that tyhe wording is concerning. Did they come up with some other package? Major league ready pitcher? That is what the twins might be looking for in return… The wording is suspect. I am not ready to cheer yet.
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Comment by Charlie
2008-01-14 13:04:23

Well, since Hughes was the best player they had to offer and it was pretty clear that the Twins felt Hughes was the guy they wanted, then it can be construed that the Yankees pulled out of the running from Santana. (For now.)
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Comment by 1DoggLJ
2008-01-14 12:39:12

I think it means all offers have been pulled, not just one with Hughes. Besides, what better offer would they have?

Having said that, Steinbrenner saying an offer has been pulled and that the Yankees are officially out of the Johan Sweepstakes possibly makes me think they have just turned UP their interest a notch. There IS a contingency between Hank making a proclamation and following through on it………a negative contingency — whenever he says something, he does the exact opposite! (Maybe he learned that from George Costanza, his father’s former, long time Assistant to the Traveling Secretary).
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Comment by plasto
2008-01-14 12:43:43

Besides, what better offer would they have?

Exactly. Hughes is regarded as their only significant chip in this, right?

Fine by me if their ‘Melky Cabrera-centered trade offer’ remains on the table …
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Comment by MetalMet
2008-01-14 12:41:31

Yeah, don’t worry, Hank has changes of heart every four hours.
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Comment by Ed Z
2008-01-14 13:28:33

And we use the team “heart” loosely.
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Comment by Giaco
2008-01-14 12:45:22

That Santana jersey would look good in the blue and orange colors… different number though.. maybe number 30…in met pinstripes… pitching in front of 57,000+, in game 7 of the…

daydreaming at work again…
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Comment by Hit The Weights Zeile
2008-01-14 13:26:09

no waqy is he changing his number not when wilpon realizes how much money heinz ketchup will throw at him for a giant santana sign at citifield.
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Comment by sdanzig
2008-01-14 14:44:22

Would Heinz start selling blue and orange ketchup?
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Comment by vinluvr
2008-01-14 12:45:44

I wasn’t aware that a Phil Hughes-based package was ever on the table. My impression was that the Yanks only ever offered Kennedy. The Twins should have thought hard about a Hughes-led deal, even if it was only Hughes. He’s the best pitching prospect in baseball.
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Comment by murpheeee
2008-01-14 12:47:39

Hughes offer was on the table for a few days during WInter meetings, then Hank set a deadline which passed and the offer was pulled.
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Comment by murpheeee
2008-01-14 12:46:17

Yankees & Sox only seem intent on keeping him from going to each other. Best for all concerned if he joins Mets, including the Twims since they will not have to face him.

Mr. Santana, please sign here……….
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Comment by Lightweis
2008-01-14 12:46:47

I could see them offering a Joba Chamberlain centered deal for Johan. Personally, if I were the Yanks I’d rather keep Hughes. Joba just seems overweight and injury prone, and thats with never starting a game in the show.
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Comment by Vinnie
2008-01-14 12:49:14

I disagree, Joba is their pride and joy.. He has the best stuff overall. Kennedy is not enough, Hughes is too much but Joba is out of the question.
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Comment by stickguy
2008-01-14 13:03:53

Joba is the guy that has “great stuff, but injuries derailed his career” written all over him.

I would actually trade him if his value is the highest (if it is a choice between him and Hughes).
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Comment by therealsince86
2008-01-14 12:47:35

I am like most on here, stand pat with this offer
Gomez, Mulvey, Guerra, Humber/other prospect.
If the Yankee’s or Sox come back with a better offer then we can expand the deal. If they still do not take it then Omar has not really lost anything. At least this way we will know if it actually will cost Martinez or not.
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Comment by Jim
2008-01-14 12:47:37

You can’t trust a word this guy says. Hank will change his mind by this afternoon.
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Comment by mad_mike
2008-01-14 13:32:04

I agree. I don’t trust Hankensein.
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Comment by landyg21
2008-01-14 12:47:52

I’d take a prospect or 2 off the list since the Yankees are out of the running. Boston was only going after him so that the Yankees couldn’t get him. I believe the Twins are digging themselves a huge hole here and if I was Minaya I’d make them pay for being such scum bags and offer them one good prospect with a couple of 2nd tier ones. If the rumors are correct and Santana only wants to come to New York or Boston, I believe the Mets are in the driver’s seat finally.
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Comment by stickguy
2008-01-14 13:01:10

Gomez and Mulvey seem to be the central 2 guys always in the deal (and I am fine with that!)

If they can eventually wait this out to being them, + 2 more guys that aren’t Guerra or F Mart 9or pelfrey, who it doesn’t seem that they want), then it was well done by Omar.

The Twins will get some promising talent (maybe not really impacting FT until 2009, but the Twinkees ain’t winning in 2008 anyway). The Mets get Santana and still have a viable farm system.

The other 2 could be most anyone, depending if the Twins want ML or ML ready, or younger guys.
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Comment by therealsince86
2008-01-14 13:07:55

While I agree with your point of waiting. I still think we need to leave the best offer on the table. That has to be Gomez, Mulvey/Pelfrey, Guerra, Humber/other B prospect. That would leave us Fmart and either Pelfrey or Mulvey for depth.
I just think there is a middle ground here. If we pull out more players then the Twins will keep waiting and then there are 2 other posibilities that open up. 1) The Twins go around digging up other partners that may not match the Mets 4 prospects deal but can with 1-2 super prospects. 2) They just decide to keep him and get as much ticket revenue as possible and look to trade him in the fall. You can’t tell me that some contender will not be willing to give up a top prospect for him in the fall.
This is a dangerous game we are playing and I think Omar is doing a good job. Lets just see what plays out.
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Comment by landyg21
2008-01-14 13:16:45

Unless Santana says he wants to go to the Mets. Then the Twins are screwed or they could play out the season and get one pick in the draft next year.

Comment by therealsince86
2008-01-14 13:21:19

Or Santana could say I will take less and stay in Minnesota. Santana has already said he will try and do what’s best for the organization too.

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Comment by Charlie
2008-01-14 13:10:24

That’s a very fair point. Had the Twins made a move two weeks ago, they would probably have gotten a better deal than they are going to get by the end of the offseason.
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Comment by Hit The Weights Zeile
2008-01-14 14:08:37

they got a little greedy and its going to cost them in the end. they couldve gotten a better deal but at the time they thought theyd get more bc they prob thought someone would crack and unload the farm. problem is the sox yanks and mets all knew if he wasnt traded they could sign him next year. minnesota definitely shouldve taken this into consideration, while they dont HAVE to trade him, they are better off doing so and therefore dont have as much leverage as they may have thought.
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Comment by jamie
2008-01-14 12:52:28

The wheels on the bus go round and round…
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Comment by astoriametsfan72
2008-01-14 12:53:40

at the end of the day I just can’t see the Yanks trading away their top pitching prospect, Hughes, and Melky Cabrera and another prospect or two for a player who is going to put them yet another $20 + million over the luxury tax. If that Yankee trade package is offered I think the Red Sox will become active to keep Santana away from the Yanks. If the deal hinges on Martinez I think the Mets are willing to throw in Martinez to guarantee a trade to the Mets.

From the Yanks and Red Sox perspective, I think trading for Santana is much more expensive for them in both prospects and money than for the Mets.

but then again…it is the Yanks.
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Comment by matty8199
2008-01-14 12:54:52

To Matt, and the others getting “worried about the wording” here: are you ignoring the very next sentence in the ESPN article?

“The Yankees, then, will not restart trade talks with the Twins unless Hank Steinbrenner has another change of heart, a baseball official with knowledge of the talks told 1050 ESPN Radio’s Andrew Marchand.”

Saying that they “will not restart trade talks with the Twins” sure as hell sounds to me like they don’t have any offers out there…
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Comment by DjDeF
2008-01-14 12:56:24

I am not concerned about Hank. Hank and Hal have equal say in this situation despite Hank having the big mouth. Hal doesn’t want to do it for money reasons Hank wants to do it for the splash factor, Cashman doesn’t want to because he wants to keep the system that he has built with the big pitchers. Hank will need to do a lot of convincing in order to get this done.
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Comment by therealsince86
2008-01-14 13:01:46

I am actually worried about a sleeper team now. What if the Dodgers, Angels, or Cubs magically enter the race last minute? I guess it would be up to Johan to help us out there as all of those teams have the prospects and the money to get Johan. That’s why I don’t want this to go on much longer. If we lessen our offer based on the Yankee’s then the Twins will start digging for other teams. Right now we are in the drivers seat, we have the rare car we want and will pay sticker price for it and right now no one else will.
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Comment by stickguy
2008-01-14 13:07:13

I raised the same mystery team question on an earlier thread. Who know’s which team is laying in the weeds waiting to strike?

Wouldn’t it be a kick in the teeth in th eteeth if the next offcial announcement was that the Braves just traded for him? They might not have the budget, but they probably have the young talent!

Now the Cubs, that is interesting… I would worry more about it if mark Cuban had already bought them!
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Comment by therealsince86
2008-01-14 13:11:39

I actually am waiting for the Angels or Cubs to get in within the next week or 2. The Dodgers already have a top rotation but the Dbacks did get that ace so that puts some pressure on the Dodgers. No doubt that they have the prospects to do it.
The Cubs, money is there. They could dump Marquis salary on any of these pitching desperate teams like the Mets. If they see they can’t get Roberts or Bedard then they may look to get into the Santana mix as well.
Most see this as the longer it plays out the better it is for the Mets, I however do not see it this way. If the Mets are going to get him I think it will be in the next 2-3 weeks. After that I just don’t see it happening.
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Comment by ravi3
2008-01-14 13:13:09

Tom Hicks?
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Comment by whynot
2008-01-14 13:31:45

The Braves have zero chance. They traded 4 of their top 10 prospects for Texiera, and another one in Devine for Kotsay. And they can’t afford 20 million a year. I1/4 of their payroll tied up in one player for 6 years? Not happening.

The Dodgers won’t give up Kershaw, Broxton, Billingsley, or Kemp. Plus, they just signed Kuroda for $11 million. Not happening.

The M’s can’t afford him.

He’s ours for the taking. Patience.
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Comment by therealsince86
2008-01-14 13:38:12

How do you know that the Dodgers won’t give up any of those guys. What if the Twins originally said it would take 3 of those guys but now that the Mets and Yankee’s will not include ….. would you consider giving us 2 of those guys? The Dodgers very well may consider it.
I have already commented on how the Cubs have the prospects and the money.

Comment by whynot
2008-01-14 13:56:40

Because Colletti said so. While I have no doubt people have changed their mind in the past. But Ned seems stuck on his prospects and they already have 40 million tied up in their rotation. They need the youngsters to keep the payroll reasonable for the next few years. If he dumps 2 low cost. high performance players now for a $20 million a year pitcher, he’s got a hole to fill and no money to do it. The Dodgers will spend, but McCourt doesn’t like to spend huge.

Comment by Kalihan42
2008-01-14 14:05:32

Thing to rememeber is these teams have to be able to resign him or they are not going to give up their prospects for a one year purchase. It is pertty clear Sanatana is limited in where he wants to go. These teams are not going to jump into the ring for a one year purchase.

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Comment by landyg21
2008-01-14 13:13:47

If the Johan rumors are correct, he could veto the deal to any team he doesn’t want to go to. According to several sources over the past weeks it seem more likely that he wants a National League team. The Cubs won’t do it because the have spend enough money. Hopefully, he doesn’t like the West Coast which will be great for the Mets.
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Comment by therealsince86
2008-01-14 13:19:21

While I agree with the fact that Johan prob. wants to go to an NL team there is still question on his notrade clause. I have seen it posted many times that it ends around opening day.
Then there is the fact that he could refuse to negoiate a deal with his new team, which would lessen the prospects but teams will trade big time prospects for WS runs anyway, then they would just take the draft picks for him leaving.
All that being said, if in July the Red Sox, __________ any other big market team, need a pitcher and they are in the hunt for a WS do you really think he will say no to a trade or extension?
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Comment by landyg21
2008-01-14 13:22:46

If a team is really willing to give up the farm for 2 or 3 months, be my guest. I’d sit and wait knowing that next year he’s a free agent and going to the Mets and to a brand new stadium. We’ve been waiting since 86 for a title, what’s another year?

Comment by Charlie
2008-01-14 13:26:28

Not true at all. He had a clause that said if he finished within the top 3 in CY voting in 2006 or 2007, then he would have a FULL no-trade. He won the 2006 CY award, so he’s got his FULL no-trade through his contract.

Comment by therealsince86
2008-01-14 13:32:52

Charlie, check MLBtraderumors they can’t even figure it out. So regardless, he is not going to turn down a chance to win a WS.

landyg21, teams do it all the time. A team has windows. If a team actually thinks this is the year they will trade those top prospect to gain the advantage. It’s a bad example because it was a “Mets type” move but remember Kazmir? If we are 2 games up on the Philies and they acquire Blanton do you not think that Omar would go all in for Santana?

Comment by Charlie
2008-01-14 13:36:11

Do a google search for Cot’s Johan Santana.

It’s crystal clear that he has full no-trade rights.

Comment by landyg21
2008-01-14 13:38:35

We gave up one top prospect for one piece of ____. Not 4 top prospect for a guy who’s going to get 150 million and we’re still not guaranteed a title or a healthy Cy Young award winner. So we’re basically giving up.

Gomez
Guerra
Mulvey for Santana
Martinez
150 million

Comment by landyg21
2008-01-14 13:44:24

If you think the Kazmir deal was bad, just imagine for a moment that Santana comes to the Mets then he gets injured, never hits over 90 on the gun again and looks more like John Franco or Tom Glavine plus 150 million. Then you look at Minnesota has 2 young all stars in Martinez and Guerra rubbing it in every Mets fans face like Kazmir when he pitches against the Yankees or Red Sox. I’m also counting on Gomez and Mulvey to do absolutely nothing. Just imagine.

Comment by therealsince86
2008-01-14 13:52:21


Stop playing the what if game. What if he comes in and pitches like Tom Seaver and our prospects turn in to junk? Even if one of the prospects turns out, will he be as good as Santana baring injury? I would expect not.
As for your other post, I never said we would still trade 4 prospects for Santana in July but I bet they could still get 2 or 3.

Comment by landyg21
2008-01-14 14:05:35

None of these pitchers that get a big and long term deal never pan out. Bartolo Colon, Jason Schmidt, Barry Zito, Mike Mussina, and Andy Pettitte. You can even count Pedro in this conversation. All took big deals from different clubs and all had either sub par seasons or injury laden ones. Pitching is a mystery and you really don’t know what your getting. It’s easier to trade 4 prospect for Arod then Santana. At least your getting 40 Hr’s and 120 rbi’s.

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Comment by bonatom
2008-01-14 13:19:31

How do you know he doesn’t like the West Coast? What does he hate sunshine? Does he hate less media pressure? For $150 Million i would picther on Mars!
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Comment by therealsince86
2008-01-14 13:22:04

exactlly

Comment by landyg21
2008-01-14 13:24:18

Some guys just like the East Coast over the West. If you play in the West you have alot more travel then East Coast teams.

Comment by landyg21
2008-01-14 13:24:52

Who really wants to go to Seattle 3 times a year?

Comment by HOFMets57
2008-01-14 14:09:56

It was speculated very early in the offseason (before all this turned to a media merry-go-round) that Johan preferred the east coast because the west coast would double the time it would take to get to Venezuela and his home being built in Ft. Myers, Florida.

The west coast was never an option for Johan and many west coast suitors didn’t even try knowing the above.

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Comment by MEX
2008-01-14 13:09:52

Well, I finally re-upped my Saturday tickets plan for next year almost entirely based on my belief (hope) that Santana will wind up on the Mets in the next few weeks. I just cannot belief the club wants to risk a slide into third place before the new Stadium opens.
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Comment by therealsince86
2008-01-14 13:14:02

How have Atlanta and the Phills gotten magically that much better than the Mets as things currently stand? They are not risking 3rd place anymore than the Braves or Phils are. As things are right now the NL east will come down to the last couple of weeks again. If that is the direction the Mets go in, it will be because they could not get Santana and I will understand that and look forward to an exciting season.
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Comment by landyg21
2008-01-14 13:28:30

The Mets are still a better team then anyone in the East, stop being such pessimist since the choked last year. Shit happens, hopefully it doesn’t happen twice.
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Comment by therealsince86
2008-01-14 13:33:53

I hope that is in reply to the post above mine, if not then you can’t read.

Comment by landyg21
2008-01-14 13:39:28

it is

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Comment by stickguy
2008-01-14 14:16:04

But, won’t you feel silly if he never pitches a home game on a Saturday!

I always ended up getting the misc. spare starter instead of the Gooden/COne/etc. types over the years. And recently, way too much Glavine.
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Comment by BringBackDaveTelgheder
2008-01-14 13:12:03

Anyone else feel like this is turning into Groundhog Day.

Same thing every day, yet I’m hooked on every post as I imagine everyone else is, too.
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Comment by Charlie
2008-01-14 13:29:58

Yup, but hey it’s a great distraction in the middle of the day. Every so often, I take a break, go to Metsblog and see what’s going on. The Mets are nearly a part of my family at this point in my fandom. This is important to me (although my wife thinks I’m nuts).
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Comment by Peter
2008-01-14 13:27:33

Considering the state of ML pitching and how our team is set up, would it be better to hold Guerra and move F-Mart, even if Gomez is going in the same deal? I love what I’ve heard about him, but we have Wright, Reyes and Beltran long term as stud, superstar hitters. Wouldn’t a stud pitcher on the horizon mean more for our team, to pair with Johan in the future, than adding to our lineup?

I’m thinking complimentary hitters (#2 and #5) in addition to whatever Church may turn into may be easier to come across.

Gomez, F-Mart, Mulvey, Humber leaves us with Pelfrey in the short term and Guerra 2-3 years down the line. I’m thinking there will always be Wilkerson / Stewart / Jenkins types to man the corners not to mention a stud who makes it to FA, which doesn’t seem to be happening with pitchers anymore.
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Comment by HOFMets57
2008-01-14 14:13:18

I think that’s the direction Omar is leaning. If the Twins finally realize we’re the only appropriate suitors and insist on getting Fernando Martinez (he is our top prospect according BA) then I can assume Omar will take Guerra out of the deal and replace him with another middle-tier prospect (Rustich or Kunz?)
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Comment by moon
2008-01-14 13:28:10

Even if the mets get Santana, he’ll need Tommy John surgery by July
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Comment by HOFMets57
2008-01-14 14:14:40

Thanks for that wonderful outlook on our farewell season @ Shea. You ever think about writing greeting cards for Hallmark?
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Comment by guierllNO MOta
2008-01-14 13:30:42

in Marty Noble’s mailbag Eric D. from the Bronx writes the following:

Isn’t there a way for the Mets to acquire Santana without having to give up Carlos Gomez? I’d be disappointed if they were to trade Gomez. Couldn’t they create a package with Angel Pagan or Endy Chavez with three pitchers who aren’t Kevin Mulvey, Pelfrey or Philip Humber?
– Eric D., Bronx, N.Y.

Eric, if you by any chance read this site….I am a deposed King from Nigeria and I pay you back if you mail me $20K today….please send check to:

Boy you are a moron sweepstakes
PO Box 12345
NY, NY 1111
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Comment by therealsince86
2008-01-14 13:35:55

I think he is refering to a package for Rafel Santana.
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Comment by mikey_FF
2008-01-14 13:36:26

hahaha
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Comment by Hit The Weights Zeile
2008-01-14 14:13:59

so that means he wants to trade angel pagan, carlos muniz, and joe smith for johan santana. we definitely come out on top of that deal. i bet the yanks and red sox had chips like that to offer.
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Comment by Hit The Weights Zeile
2008-01-14 14:14:19

*wish they had chips like that

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Comment by metsomniac
2008-01-14 13:42:59

the quiet before the storm…
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Comment by Hit The Weights Zeile
2008-01-14 14:11:23

im curious to see what the spin will be when all the analysts have to explain why the twins would accept a package of the mets “inferior” “low potential” “unwanted” “worthless” prospects.
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Comment by stickguy
2008-01-14 14:19:47

They won’t. Analysts and talking heads just move on and pretend they never said their earlier remarks.

I will guarantee at least one of the ones that said that about the mets prospects/package will start screaming that the mets wildly overpaid, gave up the future, etc.!
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Comment by icedrake523
2008-01-14 14:15:23

The Hughes offer was never on the table to begin with.
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Comment by zen
2008-01-14 14:16:08

in the 4 months since the 2007 season ended, we have learned that santana will be traded to one of the following: yanks, red sox, mets.

nothing has changed besides some rhetoric btw the teams.
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Comment by dave27
2008-01-14 14:21:19

Didn’t Hank pull this offer off the table in November?

Why is anyone listening to this moron? His quote today was borderline hilarious: When asked about the Yankees’ package of players, Steinbrenner would not comment but did tell the Daily News that “it’s still the best one. And let’s face it, we’re the best able to handle the kind of [nine-figure extension] Santana will be after.”

Um, how does Hank know what else is being offered? And when did he become a master talent evaluator? And WTF is he talking about on the money thing? Does he think he is applying for a mortgage?

How is the press giving this buffoon a free pass in this town. If I were a Yankee fan I would be soiling myself seeing my team is suddenly in the hands of a buffoon who has no working comprehension of the fact that the world doesn’t revolve around him and his team. Where’d this guy even come from? Did George have him locked in the basement for the last 50 years?

I mean read that quote - this guy is running a MLB team???!!!

If I were the Twins GM I’d laugh at this. Hank has pulled out more times a kid on prom night. Anyone remember his hard stance on A-Rod? I’d take Roger Clemens word over this imbecile.
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Comment by Dwright5kiddflushing
2008-01-14 14:42:55

I think its just pathetic hearing Hank Stein…..Yeah we all get it, Your just trying to be the new George. What i think is even more funny is him talking about Santana while all GM’s from other teams say they refuse to comment on players from other teams. A more respectful approachRadio’s Andrew Marchand.

According to Marchand, citing a baseball official with knowledge of the talks, the Yankees will not restart trade talks unless Hank Steinbrenner has another change of heart.

…call me a paranoid, or just your typical, skeptical Mets fan, but i don’t trust the language being used here…so, if the Yankees have pulled their Phil Hughes-centered offer, does that mean a new offer with other players may still be on the table…or, are all offers pulled…

…either way, it’s pretty quiet…the insiders who had been communicating with me are no longer saying a whole lot…and i don’t know if that’s good or bad…the only sense i get is that we may start reading words like ‘two teams are close,’ and ‘reached preliminary agreement,’ etc, within the next week or so…the thing is, i just hope it’s linking the Twins and Mets, and not the Twins and Yankees, who are starting to give me an anxiety complex…
Post

Delcos on Santana...


http://mets.lohudblogs.com/2008/01/11/santana-why-keep-dancing/

Quote:
As long as Johan Santana is on the block the Mets will be mentioned. They will because the Mets are a New York team with money.

However, as long as the Red Sox and Yankees continue to play chicken, why should the Mets be willing to up the ante? Neither Boston nor the Yankees need Santana, and it is questionable whether the really want him. Their interest is primarily to keep him away from the other.

Sure, the Mets can sweep in if they give the Twins a half-a-dozen prospects and Santana $140 million. Why should they? They should start taking prospects off the table. Tell the Twins to take-it-or-leave it. And, do the same with Santana when it comes time to talk contract. Then, we’ll see how anxious the Twins are to move him and how badly he wants to leave.

The Mets are being played for suckers if they continue this posturing with the Twins, and if they did do the deal, it would set back the franchise. The Mets have future holes after this season that having Santana wouldn’t fill. It’s time to dance with somebody else.


Interesting take....

Report: Yankees out of Santana race
Senior VP Steinbrenner voices reluctance to trade prospects
By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com


http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080114&content_id=2345341&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy


NEW YORK -- After months of debating the idea of Johan Santana in pinstripes, the Yankees may finally be ready to abandon their pursuit of the ace.

New York has removed a long-rumored trade proposal for the Minnesota Twins left-hander, ESPN.com reported on Monday, citing a baseball source with knowledge of the situation.

Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner had made little secret of his desire to acquire Santana, coveting the hurler openly in numerous interviews. But Santana, who will be 29 by Opening Day, would be in the market for a large contract extension -- likely as much as nine figures -- to waive his no-trade clause and leave the Twins.

Others in the Yankees organization, including general partner Hal Steinbrenner and general manager Brian Cashman, were reportedly less enthused. Much of the hesitation centered around the heavy price in terms of player talent.

New York's pitch for Santana included right-hander Phil Hughes, outfielder Melky Cabrera and two additional mid-level prospects, one of whom was believed to be right-hander Jeff Marquez.

Hank Steinbrenner admitted last week that his stance on trading for Santana had started to waver.

"What it comes down to right now is giving up a lot [in a trade] and then having to do the big contract, as well," Steinbrenner told the New York Daily News. "If [Santana] was just a free agent, we could just go ahead and do it."

"There's a big difference this way. We have to sign him as if he's a free agent, plus you have to give up major talent. That's a tall order."

Hot Stove

The Yankees currently project to report to Spring Training with Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy vying for rotation slots alongside Chien-Ming Wang, Andy Pettitte and Mike Mussina.

Hughes told The Associated Press on Friday that he tried to block out the numerous reports of a potential trade for Santana.

"I try to avoid the rumors best I can, but you eventually hear it from friends, family and the whole deal," Hughes said. "You never want to hear your name out there, but on the other side, at least it's good to know that other teams think highly of you. I wouldn't say [it has been a] tough winter, but definitely an interesting one."

Santana, a two-time American League Cy Young Award winner, was 15-13 with a 3.33 ERA in 33 starts for the Twins last season, striking out 235 batters while walking 52 in 219 innings. The three-time All-Star owns a career record of 93-44 over eight Major League seasons.