Comments on: Buzz: Santana, Extension, Major-League Talent

By: sploorp

sploorp — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 06:01:50 +0000

Big Lou says: “What i think is going on is one reporter favors a deal with the Mets while the other is in denial and trying to persuade Minny to keep Santana.”

That has just got to be the most astute and right on thing I’ve read about this trade since the winter meetings. I don’t think I’ve read one thing that I would consider factual from any reporter so far. It all smells of opinion passed of as fact and the so called “insiders with knowledge of the situation” are probably nothing more then other sports people who agree with whatever that reporter is saying.

So far, every deal that the Twins have actually done have caught me completely off guard, but at the same time, once they happened, they made perfect sense. I never say the Garza/Young trade coming – but it made perfect sense for both teams. Never saw Everett or Lamb. And today the Twins extend Morneau and Cuddyer. Everything I read said neither player was going to get an extension this year. I never saw any of it coming and yet it all made perfect sense for the Twins.

I have a sneaky suspicion that a Santana deal is very close and will be just as much of a surprise when it’s announced.

I’m starting to wonder if M. Night Shyamalan is the one running things.

Kudos to Big Lou!!

By: Meddler

Meddler — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 01:29:48 +0000

I agree with this thinking, but it brings up an interesting question. How do the Mets resolve their rotation if they do wind up with Livan AND Santana? It seems like either someone has to go to the bullpen or someone has to be traded. I can’t fathom doing anything with Pedro or Maine, and if Livan’s deal is big enough he won’t be moved to the pen. That rules those three out. That means the options are:

1. Move Duque to the pen. Probably unwise since he seems to exist on “Duque” time when he warms up for starts (another note, you’re four years younger than you actually are when on Duque time)

2. Trade Duque for a marginal return. A small market team that thinks they can contend but is short on starters might take a flyer on him.

3. Move Oliver Perez to the bullpen. Seems like the most unlikely situation, since the Mets already have three lefties in the pen, and its hard to imagine how Perez might react to a demotion after a strong season.

4. Trade Oliver Perez . Sounds crazy, but it might be a viable option if it doesn’t look like he’s going to sign an extension. You could even begin whispering the possibility once Santana is hypothetically acquired. Figure out what you can get, and make the decision whether to go this route before the draft. If you do, snag a good prospect or two and draft with what you’re getting here in mind. This only really works though if you have Mike Pelfrey or someone else looking like they could slide into the rotation should El Duque or Pedro falter. And obviously, I’d much rather extend him if possible.

By: Meddler

Meddler — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 01:21:36 +0000

Depends how you define value. Strictly in terms of talent and ability, sure, they’re getting .20 on the dollar. But that’s ignoring some crucial facts. First, the Twins only have one year of Santana to sell. The going rate for rentals, even stud rentals, IS prospects. Regardless of what he does with his new team, this, is the commodity the Twins are selling. Of course, the rental includes the exclusive right to negotiate with the player, but this brings us to the second fact, that due to Santana’s no trade clause, the acquiring team will essentially be forced to offer him one of the riskiest contracts in sports history.

By: Meddler

Meddler — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 01:16:04 +0000

Um, because Heilman’s only going to cost about $4-5 million for the next three seasons. Nathan will probably make more than twice that per season on average for the next three years.

By: JNGordon

JNGordon — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 22:52:06 +0000

pardon me…..a core of young players………

By: JNGordon

JNGordon — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 22:50:47 +0000

I remember going for broke with Saberhagen, Vince Colemen, than Mo Vaugn………..You have to work in one or two stars around a core of your players and role players. This way you don’t suddenly drop off a cliff when things don’t pan out because you have too many resources committed to too few player (former stars).

By: RichardK

RichardK — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 21:40:36 +0000

This could also mean that the Yankees or Sox got him and Omar knows and went for the cheap backup.

By: MetsUKfan

MetsUKfan — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 20:08:10 +0000

Now what if Omar had an informal chat with Santana (rather than his representative) of the form would 22 over 6 years be what you are looking for? or your caliber pitcher is looking for?

And Santana said yes.

I am sure that would be illegal but it would put a suggestion in Santana’s mind of the kind of ofter he would expect from the Mets. Enough I assume to take any Minnesota renegotiation out of the picture. Thats why I assume all parties already know the kind of offers they would expect if a trade was made.

By: jamie

jamie — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 19:40:30 +0000

dude…stop it, you’re giving me butterflies and dizzyness…

that’s really not so crazy at all! my god…

By: bigchart333

bigchart333 — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 19:19:04 +0000

maybe im REALLY grasping at straws here..but i think im putting some info together that may mean the Johan situation is coming to a head….

—all winter long, we heard the Mets aren’t going to sign a pitcher until the Johan/Ace trades are exhausted..and now they’re supposedly CLOSE to Livan….
—and the Twins were saying that they won’t disucss long term contract with Cuddyer and Morneau until the Johan situation is resolved…and now the Twins are having a press conference to announce BOTH of those players have been signed long term
—also, suddenly now the twins are takling Church, Heilman, Pelfrey (ML ready players) and our top guy, F-Mart…and now those 2 moves above happen…

hmmm…mets looking at livan, twins using up money to sign 2 players….
does this mean that Johan is coming for Church, Heilman, Pelfrey, and Fernando Martinez???

wow, im REALLY taking a long shot here…i feel like Special Agent Mulder