Friday, November 30, 2007

The Minnesota Twins were discussing trade options for ace left-hander Johan Santana with both the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, according to a major league source, pitting baseball's two richest teams and fiercest rivals against each other for the services of the pitcher widely considered to be the best in the game.

An agreement on the trade could be completed at any time, the source said, but would be held up while the winning bidder is given a 72-hour window in which to try to sign Santana to a long-term contract. Santana, who has full no-trade privileges, is expected to insist on an extension before agreeing to a trade and reportedly is using Barry Zito's seven-year, $126 million contract signed last winter as a starting point for contract discussions.

The Twins, who apparently have given up hope of signing Santana to an extension themselves, have not been dissuaded by the insistence of both the Yankees and Red Sox that certain young players are off-limits -- Robinson Cano and Joba Chamberlain for New York, Jacoby Ellsbury and Clay Buchholz for Boston.

Instead, the Red Sox are believed to be offering center fielder Coco Crisp, pitcher Jon Lester and two top prospects, while the Yankees could be willing to build a package around pitcher Phil Hughes and center fielder Melky Cabrera, plus prospects.

Santana, 28, is a two-time American League Cy Young Award winner and is eligible for free agency at the end of the 2008 season. The Twins reportedly offered a four-year, $80 million extension, which Santana rejected. The Twins already lost center fielder Torii Hunter via free agency to the Los Angeles Angels last week.

If Santana is traded by the weekend, it would further reduce the pool of available talent in advance of next week's annual winter meetings, where the big prize could be Florida Marlins third baseman Miguel Cabrera.

-- Dave Sheinin