Red Sox In Lead For Santana?

[organizedfamine]

That's what Twins writer, Charlie Walters is saying. Until now, I haven't let myself get excited about the possibility of Santana. Walters had the inside scoop on the Delmon Young/Matt Garza deal previously.

According to Walters, the Red Sox would give up Coco Crisp, Jon Lester, Jed Lowrie, and Justin Masterson. Now I have to apologize to another

Comments

[hangar]

Gah, I don't like that package but it's all because of sentimental attachment, but I know it's a good deal.

I still don't want to give it up, though.

[jollygreenpear]

agreed.

[0bsessions]

SOLD! ABSOLUTELY FUCKING SOLD!

I call bullshit on this simply because it sounds too entirely good to be true. I don't think Lester will ever pan out to anything more than a #3, Lowrie, while having great potential, is projected to move to second base eventually, Crisp deserves a starting position somewhere and I'm not entirely impressed with Masterson. It also means not giving up Buchholz OR Ellsbury.

[archer823]

I also want to believe it but I feel like there's some part missing from this puzzle. NY media is starting to report that no one is off the table for them to trade for Santana except maybe Joba and they're trying to push the idea that if the Sox get Sanata, they're calling the AL East domination era over for the Yankees.

[organizedfamine]

Where did you hear that Lowrie is projected to move to second? All the scouting reports I've seen say he's an above average defensive shortstop. Some say he's actually a very good one.

[0bsessions]

http://soxprospects.com/players/lowrie-jed.htm... )

[durandal_1707]

Even if the Twins acquire Delmon Young from the Rays (no longer D-Rays), they're still going to need a centerfielder (anyone who has seen Delmon's butchery in right field should be nodding their heads right now). Also in that trade is Jason Bartlett going to Tampa Bay - it's unclear if Minnesota really has any interest in playing Brendan Harris or if they just view him as a throw-in. If they do view him as such, then they may be looking to bolster their middle infield and hence the value of Jed Lowrie in this trade scenario.

It should be noted how much money Santana will be commanding over the next few years - we're talking in the $20m/yr tier for him. He's certainly worth it in my book (his "poor" season last year had him at a 3.3 ERA with a flukishly high HR/FB rate), but the only teams that I think can really entertain such a salary are the Yankees and the Red Sox.

I do think the Yankees have the pieces for the trade (Cano and Cabrera) but moving them creates some gaping holes for them.

[0bsessions]

Now that they've got Young's bat, I do think Crisp is the better option over Cabrera. They'll need someone to pick up the slack in terms of covering for Young's less than stellar defense and Crisp does that without breaking the bank. He also might bounce back offensively in the less intense Central climate. While I like this deal in terms of the Red Sox getting Santana without giving up anything I can't live without, I don't think the Yankees have anything to top that offer without seriously hurting themselves. Sure, they've got more young pitching prospects, but the Twins aren't in any dire need of pitching. With Young's bat added, they need a defensive minded center fielder and Crisp is the absolute best bet for that on the trade market right now.

[durandal_1707]

I'm wondering if the Twins are planning to shop Nathan as well (there's been rumblings of the sort about him). If so, combine that with dealing Garza and they might be needing to replenish some of their pitching. If the Yanks are willing to part with one of Hughes or Chamberlain (though all indications point to the contrary), they might gain the upper hand in the sweepstakes.

I'm starting to think that this article was a clever ploy by the Twins to try to get the Yanks to add Hughes/Chamberlain.

[organizedfamine]

It's quite a real scenario that this is the Twins attempting to drive up the price of the Yankees.

[organizedfamine]

I think Masterson is what makes the Red Sox deal so appealing. The Yankees have been hesitant to give up Melky, Kennedy and Austin Jackson. On the other hand, it looks like the Red Sox would be completely willing to deal four players of similar or better ability.

[frawst]

On the record:
1.) This isn't anywhere near true.
2.) I would veto in my fantasy league.

[organizedfamine]

Buster Olney just confirmed it. It's certainly better than the best package the Yankees have offered so far which includes Kennedy, Melky Cabrera and Austin Jackson. That package is horrid.

[arrowintwolakes]

If the Yankees think they're getting out of this while retaining Hughes and Chamberlain, they are sorely mistaken.