Buzz: Olney on Market for Johan Santana
During his weekly appearance on ESPN Radio’s Mike and Mike, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney said the Twins have not yet begun shopping Johan Santana.
According to Olney, while some executives believe the Twins will turn to the trade market if Santana cannot be re-signed, others, instead, believe Minnesota will hold on to him for opening day.
On the other hand, during his weekly appearance on WFAN in New York, SI.com’s Jon Heyman said, from what he understands, the Twins are already discussing Santana with other teams.
According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, citing ‘the word in baseball circles,’ the Twins have made a five-year, $93 million offer to LHP Johan Santana.
…as i said yesterday, that’s essentially the same deal that Carlos Zambrano agreed to with the Cubs…it’s also the same $18 million per year that was accepted by Barry Zito…the question is, does he want more than five years, does he think he can get more per year on the open market, and does he just flat-out want to leave Minnesota…
Regardless, Olney says Omar Minaya has been telling teams he intends to trade for a front-line starting pitcher.
However, given the above information about Santana, Olney believes A’s RHP Dan Haren will be Minaya’s second choice, though his team’s ‘weak prospects’ will make any acquisition quite difficult to pull off.
…for the Mets to have a chance at trading for santana, they have to hope that other teams, with more talent to trade, panic in fear of giving a great package only to watch santana leave on the open market after next season…what’s more, the Dodgers, who have a ton of talent, seem to be seeking a bat, not a pitcher; the Angels, despite talking a big game, never pull the trigger on a big deal, plus they also need a bat; and the Yankees seem to have zero interest in trading Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain…so, if that group is not serious, who besides the Mets is left that will overpay in talent, knowing they are totally capable of re-signing santana to the type of long-term deal he is seeking…
By the way, instead of appearing on ESPN 1050 as he had been doing, Heyman will now join WFAN’s Mike and the Mad Dog program twice a week throughout the year.
