Twins: The meetings are over, but the talks continue

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: December 6, 2007 - 10:01 PM

NASHVILLE -- The Johan Santana sweepstakes slipped to the back burner Thursday as most teams checked out of the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and left town.

The Twins were scheduled to attend a banquet Thursday night, then head back home today, where they are expected to resume talks with a group of teams including the Mets, Yankees and Red Sox -- with the chance of other teams increasing their interest.

Only one trade was announced during the four-day event.

"I'm sure teams are still talking," Twins General Manager Bill Smith said. "There are a lot of teams that haven't filled their needs."

There was speculation in the hotel lobby that the Red Sox's interest in Santana was to only make the Yankees give up a lot to get him, but indications are that Boston views Santana as a chance to establish a juggernaut in the AL East. It's not known if that's enough to get them to improve on their offer of lefthander Jon Lester, outfielder Coco Crisp, infield prospect Jed Lowrie and relief prospect Justin Masterson.

The Yankees, whose best offer is believed to be outfielder Melky Cabrera, right- hander Phil Hughes and a prospect, remain in the running despite comments by senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner that his club is out.

The Mets have increased their interest in recent days, as GM Omar Minaya told reporters Wednesday that he believes he has the players to land the two-time Cy Young winner.

The Mariners and Rangers also have expressed interest in Santana. The Twins, with multiple suitors, are in no hurry to make a trade.

Rule 5 jive

Righthander R.A. Dickey was signed to a minor league deal earlier this month that included an invitation to spring training, but he'll go to camp with another team.

Dickey, who lives in the area, visited the Twins suite Wednesday and met several members of the organization. The Twins were looking forward to seeing if Dickey could make the team and find out how his knuckleball would behave indoors in the Metrodome.

But he was eligible to be selected in the Rule 5 draft, and Seattle made him the 12th overall pick Thursday.

"He was excited about joining our organization," Smith said.

Dickey was one of three Twins players selected in the major league portion of the draft. Righthander Tim Lahey, a converted catcher, was taken first overall by Tampa Bay then sold to the Cubs for $150,000.

Outfielder Garrett Guzman was selected by Washington with the 16th overall selection.

The Twins didn't select anyone in the Rule 5 draft, leaving them with two spots open on their 40-man roster. Twins officials said a player they liked was taken before their 14th pick.

The Twins lost outfielder Rashad Eldridge (Tampa Bay) and righthander Josh Hill (Pittsburgh) with the first two picks of the Class AAA phase of the draft, and righthander J.P. Martinez was selected by Baltimore in the Class AA phase.

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