Thursday, November 29, 2007
NO GO ON JOHAN SANTANA
As much as I like the Rays and even more so after this deal (if folks are interested on my take, leave a comment), the Twins part affects the Sox as they have been rumored to be a possible trading partner. The Twins are now in the market for a shortstop and an innings eater along with a centerfielder and third baseman (Punto, Casilla and Harris are all second basemen/utility infielders). This should put the Sox in the lead for Santana over the MFY, Mets, and LAA.
Both New York clubs could put together a package with better and/or more talent, but neither could easily fill the holes on the twin city’s team without creating their own. LAA could do it, although they would have to eat some of Matthews contract. More importantly, LAA wants to save their bullets for a another hitter. The Olde Towne Team could send Jed Lowrie, Tavarez, Coco, and A-ball minor leaguer(s) without missing a beat and still satisfy three out of the Twins four needs.
Now, it appears that Lester is being substituted for Tavarez and the fourth player is Double-A pitcher Masterson or Bowden. Hopefully, this is a case of the Sox driving up the price for the MFY and LAA; the Mets look like a wet pipe dream. It would also decrease the number of players for Miguel Cabrera this winter (LAA – if they haven’t already moved on) or in the future (MFY – Giambi’s contract is up after 2008). The same can be said for Erik Beddard, who I like more than Santana, but my first choice is to wait for C.C. Sabathia this time next year.
As much as I like the Rays and even more so after this deal (if folks are interested on my take, leave a comment), the Twins part affects the Sox as they have been rumored to be a possible trading partner. The Twins are now in the market for a shortstop and an innings eater along with a centerfielder and third baseman (Punto, Casilla and Harris are all second basemen/utility infielders). This should put the Sox in the lead for Santana over the MFY, Mets, and LAA.
Both New York clubs could put together a package with better and/or more talent, but neither could easily fill the holes on the twin city’s team without creating their own. LAA could do it, although they would have to eat some of Matthews contract. More importantly, LAA wants to save their bullets for a another hitter. The Olde Towne Team could send Jed Lowrie, Tavarez, Coco, and A-ball minor leaguer(s) without missing a beat and still satisfy three out of the Twins four needs.
Now, it appears that Lester is being substituted for Tavarez and the fourth player is Double-A pitcher Masterson or Bowden. Hopefully, this is a case of the Sox driving up the price for the MFY and LAA; the Mets look like a wet pipe dream. It would also decrease the number of players for Miguel Cabrera this winter (LAA – if they haven’t already moved on) or in the future (MFY – Giambi’s contract is up after 2008). The same can be said for Erik Beddard, who I like more than Santana, but my first choice is to wait for C.C. Sabathia this time next year.