What others are saying

Last update: January 30, 2008 - 9:51 PM

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

A sampling of national reaction to the Twins' trade of Johan Santana to the Mets for four prospects:

"It's going to have a ripple, and it's exactly what the union would like to see happen."

-- ESPN's Tim Kurkjian, on the Mets' coming contract offer for Santana, which likely will be for well over $20 million a year ("Outside The Lines")

"The phones have been ringing off the hook, and we were already tracking a bit ahead of our sales pace from last year. This has pushed the Super Bowl off the back pages, which tells you the kind of interest we have out there."

-- An unidentified Mets executive (The Daily)

"Now there's a reason to take the seven train again. I thought I'd rather be shot than go out there again. ... The Yankees don't even matter."

-- Sirius Satellite Radio's Scott Ferrall ("Daily News Live," SNY)

"[Twins owner Carl Pohlad] doesn't want to be seen as cheap, and if [Santana] is on an American League team, he's coming to town twice a year and there's a reminder every time that he's pitching against the Twins."

-- Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman ("Mike and the Mad Dog," YES)

"In retrospect, however, [Bill Smith] should have heeded Hank Steinbrenner's deadline back in early December at the winter meetings. ... Despite reports to the contrary, [Philip] Hughes hasn't been on the table in discussions since then, no doubt to the Twins' dismay."

-- John Harper, New York Daily News

"Smith's patience and high demands worked as a strategy only if he were willing to take Santana into spring training with him. ...Yet that turned out not to be a real option for the Twins.''

-- Ken Davidoff, Newsday

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