The Santana Deal

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 5:07 am

The Minnesota Twins may be their own worst enemy. Although thought to be cagey for playing the Yankees and Red Sox against each other, it may come back to bite them on the arse.

Their plan may have worked if Epstein, Steinbrenner, or Cashman had immediately caved and gave them the cream of their farm systems.

But as time goes on both money teams have taken players off the table and have not pursued talks. In the meantime they have been hit with the luxury tax, and with that, a reminder of how high that tax will be next year if a deal goes through.

Santana is the best pitcher in baseball. The Twins want to be compensated for him even more so than the Marlins were for Cabrera and the A's for Haren. But thanks to that salary they'll probably get less. And this is where they become their own worst enemy.

The Twins have made public that they want a Buccholz, Ellsbury and a Hughes, Kennedy, Cabrera and even a Jose Reyes for Santana. They've painted themselves in a corner with their fans. Now how do they tell their fans they've come out winners with a Lester, Crisp or a Kennedy, Cabrera or a Carlos Gomez, Mike Pelfrey deal? That will take some spin.

[ December 29, 2007, 11:40 AM: Message edited by: DOUGHBOYS ]

Plymouth · Post by **Plymouth** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 5:58 am

It appears that the Twins have now offered Santana a 4 year extension for $80 million, now we will see how greedy Johan is and how much loyalty he has to Minnesota.

BaseBrawler · Post by **BaseBrawler** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 12:27 pm

I think the Twins are playing the Yanks off The RedSox and vice versa waiting for another team ( NL Team )To wow them with an offer. I really think if he was going to be traded to The yanks or The RedSox it would have happened by now.I dont think the Twins want the rich to get richer unless they mortage the future and really help out the Twins.

[ December 29, 2007, 06:27 PM: Message edited by: TheFoot ]

Asumijet · Post by **Asumijet** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 3:46 pm

Originally posted by Plymouth:

It appears that the Twins have now offered Santana a 4 year extension for $80 million, now we will see how greedy Johan is and how much loyalty he has to Minnesota. In fairness to Santana, if he does not take the deal, you can't call it greed. Polhad with his new taxpayer paid stadium and stingy payroll is the greedy one. Santana wants to go to a team with a chance to win the Series, and I douby he worries about whether it is 20 or 25 per year to much. The Twins failed to add key players for the playoffs when they won the Central three years running and now find themselves falling behind Detroit and Cleveland. Why should he stay, when the owner fails to support the team? He knows even if he gets $125M for 5 years, the owner will not add players to support a run for the Series.

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 9:51 pm

Everyone seems to assume these deals don't matter *when* they are signed. If Johan takes 80 mil or, 100 mil for that matter, to stay where he is, he is getting security while Min gets a discount. He can hold out but he risks not getting anything if his arm goes Liriano in the meantime. It is odd to me when players don't take extensions, Like, you can earn 2 mil, 20 mil, or 80 mil provided you stay healthy. Wouldn't 20 mil be way better provided it is guaranteed? Or do you really need 60 mil beyond the wildest dreams?

crazytown · Post by **crazytown** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 3:36 am

I agree with the previous post. Not only does he risk a possible arm injury, he risks any other injury as well. If the Twins keep him this entire year he will most likely get an offer over 100 mil. 80 mil guaranteed is the way I would go if the Twins couldn't make a deal. Crazy things happen. Look at Duaner Sanchez and Tom Glavine to a lesser extent. Both were injured in taxi accidents. Sanchez hasn't pitched since and Glavine got lucky.

Plymouth · Post by **Plymouth** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 5:09 am

I can't help but wonder too if the Mariners signing of Silva to a $48 million deal had any thoughts of Seattle trying to deal for Santana since he and Silva are such good friends. I just can't see that Seattle has the right mix of players that Minnesota wants.

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 6:20 am

I think bjoak's point is valid for people who think like us. Baseball players are the most macho people on the planet- they are ultra competetive with each other. Salaries are the way the best distinguish themselves from the best. The other factor in play is the tremendous pressure the union will put on him to reset the market for pitchers.

I also agree that there is no way Santana could ever be considered as greedy as Carl Pohlad.

Plymouth · Post by **Plymouth** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 8:07 am

Originally posted by Chest Rockwell:

I also agree that there is no way Santana could ever be considered as greedy as Carl Pohlad. Good point, I don't think anyone can argue that.