The Twins are fortunate enough to hold a prized possession in their hands.
Their prize is Johan Santana. But the question that has Twins personnel baffled is whether to trade him or to keep him.
The Yankees and Red Sox have both come up with extremely lucrative offers for Santana, packaging multiple Grade-A prospects in hopes of landing the dominant lefty ace.
The problem is, the Minnesota Twins want more.
Yes—future superstar Phil Hughes, young phenom Melky Cabrera, and another prospect such as Jose Tabata or Alan Horne is not enough. An offer from the Red Sox including Jon Lester, Coco Crisp, and three other prospects does not pass muster.
Supposedly the Twins are just fine with starting the 2008 season with Santana on the mound—but if they do hold on to him, it would be quite the puzzle.
Santana will be a free agent after the '08 season. The Twins do not have the money to hang onto the superstar, as he will be asking for a five-year deal in the $150 million range. This is the main reason why he is expected to be dealt at some point before the July 31st trade deadline, so the Twins can get something in return.
Hank Steinbrenner announced during the Winter Meetings in Nashville that he put a deadline on his attempt to acquire Santana. This could have shifted negotiations in favor of the Red Sox, as Boston would no longer have to increase its offer.
However, even though his deadline has passed, Steinbrenner could easily go back on his word—as he did with MVP Alex Rodriguez.
As for now, Johan Santana remains a Twin, and it looks like he may start the 2008 season on the mound in the Metrodome.
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