The pressure to trade Santana is strictly an economic one, which is why the halls of the Opryland Hotel were filled with folks who predict a deal will eventually get done: Santana is eligible for free agency after the 2008 season; the small-market Twins, who only a few years ago were targeted by Major League Baseball for contraction, don't have the money to meet his demands; and the deep-pockets clubs do.
For now, Twins general manager Bill Smith is not satisfied with the packages proffered by the Sox. He is content to wait to see if the Sox show any willingness to part with pitcher Jon Lester and outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, much like the Tigers packaged their top two prospects, pitcher Andrew Miller and outfielder Cameron Maybin, to make a blockbuster deal with the Florida Marlins for slugger Miguel Cabrera and lefthanded pitcher Dontrelle Willis.
That deal, according to one top National League executive, has made the Tigers the early favorites to win the American League pennant in 2008. "But if the Red Sox get Santana," he said of the defending World Series champions, "the Yankees will be playing for the wild card for the next five years."
The chances of the Sox and Twins striking a deal late last night appeared remote. Sox manager Terry Francona headed home yesterday after a media luncheon, and the Twins were still trying to lure other teams into the bidding. The Mariners signaled some interest; the Dodgers, a team that has the young talent required to tempt the Twins, did not. No one save Steinbrenner is ruling out the Yankees, while the Mets are dancing on the periphery.
Epstein attended an affiliates dinner last night, then expected to work late into the evening again.
"The Twins, we certainly respect the position the Twins are in," Epstein said, without specifically acknowledging the object of his affections, kind of like the David Allan Coe country song that goes, "You don't have to call me darlin', darlin'. You never even call me by my name."
