Attention turns back to Santana

Jim Mcisaac, Getty Images

BOSTON - OCTOBER 25: Jacoby Ellsbury #46 of the Boston Red Sox steals second against the Colorado Rockies during Game Two of the 2007 Major League Baseball World Series at Fenway Park on October 25, 2007 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

A day after the Twins traded for Delmon Young, the Johan Santana rumor mill started cranking back up.

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: November 29, 2007 - 10:49 PM

One day after creating ripples with his first trade as a general manager, Bill Smith moved forward with his roster restructuring plans for the Twins. And that could lead to the big splash -- a trade of ace Johan Santana.

Several teams -- including the Red Sox, Yankees, Mets, Angels and Dodgers -- have expressed interest. And it was learned on Thursday that the Mariners are in the running, too.

Smith won't discuss trades and contract negotiations, but he made it clear he's not done making changes.

"We still have some holes to fill," said Smith, who traded with the Rays on Wednesday for a package that included young slugger Delmon Young. "We've talked about adding some stability at third base and in center field. This [deal] didn't address either one of those. [But] we got what we consider to be the best bat available in the game."

Indications are that the Twins prefer a package from Boston that includes center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury and lefthander Jon Lester. The Red Sox like Ellsbury and would be more willing to part with center fielder Coco Crisp. Several other names have been mentioned, including shortstop prospect Jed Lowrie, outfield prospect Brandon Moss and corner infielder Kevin Youkilis.

Reports out of New York and Boston had the Yankees' and Red Sox's pursuit of Santana heating up. One report, citing Yankees sources, said the club might be willing to part with top pitching prospects Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy as well as center fielder Melky Cabrera.

Catcher Jorge Posada, in a teleconference after signing a contract to return to the Yankees, said his team should do what it can to land Santana.

"We need a No. 1," Posada said in an Associated Press story. "I would love to have him."

A report out of Los Angeles has the Twins asking the Dodgers for a package of three or four players from a pool of pitchers (Chad Billingsley, Jonathan Broxton), outfielders (Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp) and top prospects (lefthander Clayton Kershaw, third baseman Andy LaRoche).

The Mets desperately need pitching, leading to speculation about adding star shortstop Jose Reyes to any package of players -- although Mets GM Omar Minaya told the AP Thursday, "I don't see us trading Jose Reyes for one of those guys being mentioned. It just doesn't make sense for us."

The Mariners, with outfielder Adam Jones, and the Angels, with infielder Brandon Wood and pitcher Nick Adenhart, have young players to dangle.

Any deal could fall apart because Santana has a full no-trade clause in his contract and could request a window to negotiate a contract extension before waiving the clause. That deal could be as large as six years and $150 million.

Smith said the Twins could be one of the busier teams next week at the winter meetings in Nashville.

"We're just looking for the best players we can get," he said. "Obviously, we'd like to continue add core players at any position. We'll see what the winter meetings bring, and what's in the following months."

Notes

• The Twins signed righthander Brian Bass and added him to their 40-man roster. They still have two open spots on the roster. They also signed righthander R.A. Dickey and lefthander Mariano Gomez and will invite both to spring training.

• The Twins might speak with the agent for outfielder Craig Monroe as soon as today, although it's still unclear if the recently acquired Monroe will be offered a contract or be non-tendered by the Dec. 12 deadline.

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