I much prefer to have the ace on the rise than one who may possibly be on the decline….even if it is just the tip of the decline.

Plus…this Twins GM seems paralyzed by this move. Can’t make the decision and keeps hoping that the longer he waits…the more likely some team drops its pants.

I would contact the Pirates first and leak the story to all the press that the Mets are considering Snell and Bay for a package of prospects. It may make the Santana deal crawl back to us at a better price or it may make the O’s come looking back to us as a suitor for Bedard, etc.

One last thing. If we can not get a Cain, Lincecum, Kazmir or Snell…..I would consider a deal for Capuano of the Brewers. Talented guy who is clearly a number 3 type and learning. Controllable for a few more years etc. Would be a nice pickup in my eyes and might only cost a Mulvey and Heilman or just a Gomez plus maybe a Kunz or Rustich. To me that is far more palatable

Omar certainly has had the opportunities to sign free agents. OK they may not be top level caliber pitching but would add some depth. He could also make trades for pitchers with good potential. For example Giants and Pirates have good potential pitchers available and they recognize they are in a rebuilding phase so would be open to trades.

He has done nothing. That level of confidence suggests Omar has some agreement with Santana.

Twins have lost Hunter for $18mill a year, SIlva for $12mill a year and are moving into a new park in DT Mpls in 2010. 20 mill for Santana will be a bargain in a few years.

I expect them to go to 5 years at 20 mill (already offered 4 at 20)and do everything to keep Santana. If they unload him for prospects, fan base will revolt, in my opinion.

With him and hopefully a healthy Liriano, you have a great 1-2 lefty punch. Without him, we have no hope for 2-3 years of ever competing.

I add this note. If Twins do trade Santana, they must as well trade Joe Nathan who is at 6 mill for 08 and is a FREE agent after 08. He will command 13-15 mill as FA probably and no reason to pay that if you are going to be winning 70 games a year.

Perhaps Teams should try and package Santana and Nathan together to make a deal. I realize the Mets are set with Wagner.

Smith is in a tough spot, but if he unloads Johan, Joe is next.

Mauer, Morneau, Delmon Young are three bats 26 and younger, but without some quality SP, 70 wins will be realistic.

Frustrated Twins Fan

If the winning thing is true, there are a lot of non NY teams that would fit the bill.

Hank wants him and all this dissension in the ranks just strikes me as a big ploy. Make everybody think the Skanks aren’t really in it or can’t agree on what they want to do. Hey, everybody! No need to up the anty and start some kind of crazy bidding war for Santana! Hey, we can’t even decide if we are really in this thing or not. We can’t even agree on which course to take. Meanwhile they keep saying their deal is the best.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen an owner and GM so publicly at odds with each other. If I was an owner I wouldn’t tolerate my GM repeatedly second guessing me like that to the press. I’d say Melky, Hughes and Kennedy, but you have to take Cashman too. I’m thinking that team Yankee has agreed to disagree so they can keep the price down.

No, the Skanks are definitely in this thing. Hughes is definitely on the table. Like everybody else, they are trying to give up as little as possible.

I think Smith knows Hanky Panky is going to break and is just biding his time. He’s got a firm offer with no expiration date from the Sox so there is no need to panic.

I think if Omar decides he isn’t going to go after Santana after all or if the price is too high, he should drop hints about trading Reyes, then stand back and watch the all the fun.

Nobody knows anything. This is pathetic.