With Winter Winding Down, Twins Aren't Any Closer To A Deal

I'm sorry, but if you're not entertained by the Santana Saga, then you haven't been paying attention. I feel like the Twins should be nominated for a Soapy Award at this point; although they'd have some stiff competition in Hank Streinbrenner. For those of you who haven't been paying attention, or are perhaps a little confused, here's a recap of the happenings the past few days.

On Friday, the Yankees reportedly weren't talking to the Twins about Santana. Then just yesterday, the Yankees repordetly talked to the Twins, but just to let them know that they took their offer off the table. Then less than eight hours later, Hank Streinbrenner weighed in to let everyone know that while "there was no official offer on the table at this time", he hasn't taken his offer off the table.

In case that left you confused as well, Hank did in fact clarfiy the statement. According to Howlin' Hank, he couldn't have taken an offer off the table because "there wasn't an official offer anyway." Sometimes I wonder if Hank just says whatever he thinks will get him the most attention.

So what's developed since yesterday? Well, more of nothing mostly. According to the Star-Ledger Staff, neither the Mets or Yankees appear willing to make a deal with the Twins unless they lower their demands. The Red Sox have been at that same stage in negotiations for some time. So what's this mean?

All three teams appear to have made their final offers. The Red Sox are offering a package of Jon Lester, Coco Crisp, Jed Lowrie and Justin Masterson and also a package of Jacoby Ellsbury, Jed Lowrie and Justin Masterson, but not a package containing both Lester and Ellsbury. The Yankees would offer a package of Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera and Jeff Marquez, but not a package including both Hughes and Ian Kennedy. And the Mets are offering a package of Carlos Gomez, Kevin Mulvey, Phil Humber and Deolis Guerra but not a package including Carlos Gomez and Fernando Martinez.

Either team could quickly make a deal, by giving up the extra guy. But I don't see why any team would. The Red Sox likely believe that they have the best offer. Hank Streinbrenner has said that the thinks his team has the best offer. And the Mets probably don't feel a need to add a fifth prospect to their deal given the fact that they're the only National League team in the running, and they're Santana's desired landing point. Furthmore, they're probably the only team of the trhee with a realistic chance of being able to acquire Erik Bedard.

I seriously doubt that the Twins will go into the season without having dealt Santana. Whether he's bluffing or not, Santana has said that he won't accept a midseason trade. So if the Twins don't deal him before the season begins, the Twins run the risk of getting nothing but two sandwhich picks in the draft when Santana walks.

The Boston Herald, with the help of Baseball America, gave a run down on the three packages which the Twins could currently select from. The article classifies the Mets package as risky, given the fact that most of the players are years removed from being major league ready. The article also classifies the Yankees package as lightweight, given the fact that it includes one blue chip player and two throw-in caliber players.

And I think most fans outside of New York would agree with both statements. If the Twins want the safest return for Satnana, it would likely be the Red Sox package. The Red Sox package includes the most major league ready talent, and fills the most immediate needs for the Twins. The Yankees package offers the Twins a possible ace, but little else. And the Mets package offers the Twins the most overall talent, although little to none of it is major league ready.

For any Yankees fans worried about losing Phil Hughes, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. Accepting a package of Hughes, Melky and Marquez probably wouldn't be in the best interests of the Twins. And there's absolutely no chance that the Yankees would give up both Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy in a package for Santana. Although, if it's the Red Sox that acquire Santana, Yankees fans may be wishing otherwise for the next six or seven years.

Conflicting News On Santana

There was also conflicting news regarding the Mets. Peter Gammons says he thinks the Mets are attempting to stockpile talent with which to trade for Santana. John Heyman thinks the Mets are offering Fernando Martinez, Deolis Guerra, Carlos Gomez, and Kevin Mulvey for Johan Santana. Seems strange that the Twins haven't taken the deal then.

On the other hand, Mike Francesca is saying that the Twins are demanding Jose Reyes, which will never happen. And to wrap things up, Keith Law is saying that the Mets would never trade Fernando Martinez for Santana, given that there's only one year left on his current contract.

Given the multitude of Mets news, and their conflicting nature, it's likely that some of this is misinformation. The Twins might be trying to make it look like a deal is eminent, in order to get the Red Sox or Yankees to increase their offers. However, there have already been two false reports of eminent deals, one to the Yankees, then one to the Red Sox. And to this point, no one's increased their offers.

Hank Steinbrenner also weighed in on Santana. He implied that Yankees offer of Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera and Jeff Marquez could be back on the table. Although, there are no indications that the Yankees are any more interested in a deal. According to Hank the Yankees have "already made the best offer". He's likely referring to the Yankees offer of Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera and Jeff Marquez which is in reality is somewhat weak.

Cashman Wants To Take Hughes Off the Table

Brian Cashman is advocating for removing Hughes from any potential deal for Johan Santana. The move would effectively remove the Yankees from the running, and could quickly lead to an agreement between the Red Sox and Twins. Outside of the Johan Santana, this news could have larger implications for the Yankees front office.

It's likely a sign of a larger rift between Brian Cashman and Hank Steinbrenner. While Cashman would like to remove Hughes from trade talks, Hank Steinbrenner would much prefer to make a deal for Santana including Hughes. And Hank doesn't seem like the most agreeable guy in the world.

Before returning to the Yankees prior to the 2006 season, Cashman had to be assured that he'd have almost full control of Yankees personnel decisions. Now, two years later, the Yankees are under new ownership and Cashman seems to have lost the power in the organization that he worked so hard to secure.

Stay tuned, this could be the beginning of some very interesting developments. The Yankees have seen changes in ownership and managing in the past few months, could the General Manager be next?