The Santana trade: How it came to be

Last update: February 2, 2008 - 8:48 PM

From the day Bill Smith took over as Twins GM Oct. 1, it became apparent that one issue he would have to deal with was what to do with Johan Santana. During the final week of the season, Santana indicated he would be willing to waive his no-trade clause, saying: "If I have to go somewhere else, and it's for the better, I'll do it. I won't have any problems with that."

Four months later, Smith has resolved the situation, dealing his ace to the Mets for four prospects. A look at how the Twins ended up sending off their two-time Cy Young Award winner:

NOV. 5-8

During the general managers meetings in Orlando, Smith tells reporters it was the Twins' goal to "do the best we can to re-sign" Santana, indicating he would not have a problem if Santana simply pitched the final year of his contract with the Twins. "I'm not afraid to go into the season with it unresolved," he said.

NOV. 22

Torii Hunter signs a five-year, $90 million contract to leave the Twins for the Angels. Meanwhile, the Twins and Santana appear to be two years and $40 million apart in exchanging contract proposals, making a trade seem more likely.

DEC. 3

At the start of baseball's winter meetings in Orlando, the Twins asked the Yankees for a package that included pitchers Philip Hughes, Ian Kennedy, Jeff Marquez and Melky Cabrera. The Yankees countered by asking the Twins to accept a lesser prospect instead of Kennedy. However, by the time the Twins relented, asking for infielder Mitchell Hilligoss instead, the Yankees had a commitment from free agent Andy Pettitte that he would return to pitch in 2008.

DEC. 4

Boston presents the Twins with two options: one involving outfielder Coco Crisp and pitchers Jason Lester and Justin Masterson, the other involving outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, infielder Jed Lowrie, Masterson and a fourth player. The teams swap medical reports on Santana and Lester, though the Twins are seeking a package that includes both Ellsbury and Lester. Meanwhile, Hank Steinbrenner says the Yankees are out of the running for Santana; with their rivals out of the picture, and with a talented pitching staff already in place, the Red Sox see no need to alter their offers.

JAN. 1

Around the new year, it became apparent that a Mets package that didn't include star Jose Reyes might still be a viable option. Mentioned were outfielders Carlos Gomez and Fernando Martinez and pitchers Deolis Guerra, Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey and Mike Pelfrey.

JAN. 25

Santana's agent, Peter Greenberg, tells the Twins they need to have a deal in place by Jan. 29. The Twins ask the Red Sox, Yankees and Mets for their best, final offers. But the Yankees were no longer offering Hughes, and the Red Sox were no longer offering Lester.

JAN. 29

Smith asks the Yankees for pitcher Chien-Ming Wang along with Kennedy, Marquez and Cabrera. The Yankees decline. The Red Sox show no interest in resuming talks, leaving two options: the Mets -- who gambled that they wouldn't need to sweeten their offer -- or bringing Santana to spring training. By the end of the day, a deal is in place.

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