The Johan Santana trade discussions finally might be entering their final lap, and the Mets still appear to be the favorites to land the two-time Cy Young Award winner.
The St. Paul Pioneer Press reported yesterday that a trade of Santana, a Minnesota Twin since 2000, "is expected to occur within 10 days." That matches a widely held industry belief that the Twins have every intention of moving Santana before the start of spring training.
The Yankees don't want to include Phil Hughes in a trade for Santana, as general manager Brian Cashman made clear Friday night at an event at William Paterson College in New Jersey. Boston always seemed more interested in keeping the price high for the Yankees than actually acquiring Santana for itself.
The Mets, meanwhile, have held off on signing free-agent pitchers Livan Hernandez or Kyle Lohse until the Twins decide on Santana.
The Mets are willing to give up multiple prospects for Santana, who wants a six-year, $150-million extension in return for waiving his no-trade clause. To date, however, the Mets have not relented on giving up minor-league outfielder Fernando Martinez in addition to outfielder Carlos Gomez and pitchers Deolis Guerra, Phil Humber and Kevin Mulvey.
The Twins tried to get the Angels involved in the Santana discussions, the Pioneer Press reported, but the pitching-heavey Angels are more focused on trying to upgrade their offense.
The St. Paul Pioneer Press reported yesterday that a trade of Santana, a Minnesota Twin since 2000, "is expected to occur within 10 days." That matches a widely held industry belief that the Twins have every intention of moving Santana before the start of spring training.
The Yankees don't want to include Phil Hughes in a trade for Santana, as general manager Brian Cashman made clear Friday night at an event at William Paterson College in New Jersey. Boston always seemed more interested in keeping the price high for the Yankees than actually acquiring Santana for itself.
The Mets, meanwhile, have held off on signing free-agent pitchers Livan Hernandez or Kyle Lohse until the Twins decide on Santana.
The Mets are willing to give up multiple prospects for Santana, who wants a six-year, $150-million extension in return for waiving his no-trade clause. To date, however, the Mets have not relented on giving up minor-league outfielder Fernando Martinez in addition to outfielder Carlos Gomez and pitchers Deolis Guerra, Phil Humber and Kevin Mulvey.
The Twins tried to get the Angels involved in the Santana discussions, the Pioneer Press reported, but the pitching-heavey Angels are more focused on trying to upgrade their offense.
