where does everyone think johan santana is going to?

Question

nyy dropped the idea already, now it seems like its between minnesota and boston...what does everyone think??

Answer 1

My best bet is that Johan is staying in Minnesota for 2008. After that, the Dodgers and Mets will push viciously to sign him.

If the Red Sox trade for Santana, then they will be called the new Yankees. If the Yankees trade for Santana, then they give up on their rebuilding process (Robinson Cano, Melky Cabrera, Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, Ian Kennedy).

Until Johan reveals whom he would like to be traded to, there will be no deal in the near future.

Answer 2

What the Twins need to do is up their payroll - it's really that simple, especially with the new ballpark coming. They've already lost Torre Hunter, who was more than a player, he was a source of local identity. To lose Santana too would be public relations suicide. Allowing him to dominate the payroll would be a mistake - you can't win with one player, let alone one pitcher who hasn't brought you a World Series so far - taking up too high a percentage of the total dollars. But we all know that these smaller market clubs are owned by billionaires fully capable of investing the funds necessary to compete; they just don't want to spend any more than they have to. Well, in this case they really need to and it's the only right thing to do.

That said, I don't believe for a second that it will happen that way, and the Twins are kidding themselves if they think they have a legitimate shot to win it all next year if they keep him. First they'd have to make the playoffs, and in a division with the Indians and the Tigers (strong before but stronger with Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis) that's no guaruntee at all. Then they'd have to get by the big boys in the playoffs. And sure, Johan can start game one of a series but who are the Twins going to trot out to combat guys like the Tigers' Justin Verlander, or the Indians' Fausto Carmona, or the Red Sox Curt Schilling or the Yankees' Joba Chamberlain in the later games? They don't even have Matt Garza anymore. They just can't compete this year. They must re-sign or trade now.

Since they're too cheap and heartless to re-sign him, who will the Twins trade him to? My money would actually be on one of a couple of surprise teams. The Yankees and Red Sox ultimately won't do it for the same reasons - they're too invested in their young homegrown talent, and their fans really don't want them to do it. I'm from Boston and I don't know anybody who wants the trade to happen, just like nobody wanted A-Rod. They wanted Lowell. You don't make that kind of expensive, long term move if it's just going to piss people off.

The Mets are a stronger possibility, because they were humiliated to end last season, and they do desperately need an ace pitcher. But they're absolute fools if they give up Jose Reyes, and without him there's some question as to whether they could put together a compelling enough package to get the job done. Their best chance is for the market to just really fall flat and the Twins to panic and deal Santana for less than he's worth - Aaron Heilman and unknowns.

But I think Santana's going someplace unexpected. I think it'll be one of those deals that comes together in a flash with a team that wasn't on anybody's radar. Several possible suitors come to mind. The Giants are never afraid to make a deal and they really need someone to replace Barry Bonds in the fans' minds and hearts. They can also offer a huge pitcher's park in the National League, and they have a lot of payroll open right now. The Cardinals are in desperate need of rebuilding too and in a market big enough to afford a payroll bump. With Santana they would be able to claim to have the best hitter AND the best pitcher in all of baseball, and that's marketing gold. Plus, a Santana-Carpenter 1-2 punch would be fearsome in October. Finally, the Mariners. I know they're reluctant to trade Adam Jones and Brandon Morrow, but they do have the prospects to make a trade, they're a pitcher or two away from contention and Johan Santana is exactly their kind of player. He's nice, he gives good promo, he's a minority, everybody loves him. Stand him next to Felix Rodriguez and they can claim to be the home of Latino baseball AND Japanese baseball. I think it'll be one of those three.

Answer 3

yeah he can stay with the twins but the twins cant afford to sign him for 2009 this is why they are trying to deal him away becuase they would like to get something for him! I think that he ends up with the yankees! I dont think the yanks give up chambeline but they have alot others they can put on the table for him! As for Boston i'm not sure the sox are ready to let ellsbury go and i think the only way that deal gets done is if they put him on the table! The Mets are a possibility but if he is not dealt by the first week in Jan he will stay with the twins but its a bad move for them because instead of getting something for him he will just leave next year with free agency!

Answer 4

It seems to me that everybody is thinking that he will be going to the Boston Red Sox, but me I have no idea where he will be going to. And I am not going to wager any guesses, because chances are that I am going to be wrong, or I will get outsmarted by him. Either way I don't want to risk this chance. And who knows maybe he won't go to Boston, he might even stay with the Minnesota Twins, I don't know much of a chance that will be. But either way, let's just wait and find out.

Answer 5

Minnesota.

Answer 6

Yes, everyone thinks it is between the Twins and the Red Sox just like almost no one thought Miguel Cabrera was going to Detroit and A-Rod was absolutely certain to leave the Yankees - and look what happened. The twins are fools if he goes anywhere at all. They have a shot at winning this year and they ought to take it.

Answer 7

even with nyy saying they are out of the runnings i wouldn't buy it. its kind of like their pre-negotiations with a-rod.

i wouldn't be surprised if a team like the mets slipped in and offered a young package of players similar to that of the yanks or sox.

I say he stays a twin until the regular season trade deadline. then he moves to most likely boston

Answer 8

To a National League team. If Minnesota does not get this guy into the other league, they should be contracted now!

Answer 9

Staying in Minnesota and so is Joe Nathan. The Twins won't deal either of them and will only finish 35 games behind detroit...woopdy doo

Answer 10

as a results of fact he merely deserve it. he grow to be a greater beneficial pitcher this twelve months. far greater beneficial than Beckett, so lots greater beneficial than Schilling. I´m a Yankee fan too, and that i think of Wang merits some acceptance, yet not the Cy youthful. It´s Santana´s 2nd this twelve months.