Baseball Update

As it appears that the Twins will not be able to re-sign Johan Santana, I’m going to make an amendment to my earlier trade proposal on behalf of the Red Sox.
Boston gets:
1. Johan Santana, SP from the Twins; this doesn’t require explanation
2. Gerald Laird, C from the Rangers; see my argument from Nov 19th 2007

Texas gets:
1. Coco Crisp, CF from the Red Sox; see my argument from Nov 19th 2007
2. Justin Masterson, SP from the Red Sox (AA); a rising star in the Red Sox organization
3. Cash (maybe $2M i.e. approx. 20% of Crisp’s salary over the next 2 years)

Minnesota gets:
1. Kevin Mahar, OF from the Rangers (AAA); capable of being a 4th outfielder with some pop (22 doubles in AAA in ’07) or a suitable for a platoon role against lefties (.815 OPS v. LHP in AAA in ’07)
2. Either Craig Hansen, RP or Abe Alvarez, SP from the Red Sox(AAA); both are considered major talents who appear to need a change of scenery after hitting a plateau in the Sox farm system. Either could help the Twins immediately as the end of the bullpen.
3. Either Clay Buchholz, SP or Jon Lester, SP from the Red Sox; the center figure going to Minnesota. Both are ready to be middle of the rotation starters on Opening Day 2008, and could be the team’s #2 behind Francisco Liriano by Opening Day 2009.
4. Either Jed Lowrie, SS or Brandon Moss, OF from the Red Sox (AAA); both are top prospects and have been serious OPS machines in the minors. Despite an All-Star season in AA, Lowrie is stuck behind Julio Lugo’s contract but is ready to battle for a Major League job in Spring Training 2008. After an All-Star season in the International League (AAA) Moss will likely be the Sox 4th OF if he isn’t traded and could be the same for the Twins. Moss could also compete for a starting corner outfield spot for the Twins after hitting .333 in a September call-up for the Red Sox.

If you are the Red Sox, you get a younger, cheaper backup catcher who is a good receiver, has some pop in his bat, and can throw out the occasional baserunner. All things that are waning in their current backup, Doug Mirabelli. You also get one of the top 5 pitchers in baseball, the catch being that you’ll have to get him signed long term ASAP. That will likely cost somewhere in the 7-8 year, $140M-$160M range. But how do you pass up on the opportunity for a rotation of Beckett, Santana, Matsuzaka, Schilling, and Lester/Buchholz (whichever doesn’t get dealt)? Plus by possibly overpaying in prospects, you also keep Santana away from the Yankees.

If you are the Rangers, you get young, cheap, quality pitching, and a Gold Glove caliber CF with speed who can hit at the top of the order in a pinch.

If you are the Twins, you get a wealth of young, cheap pitching and positional talent all of which appears ready to produce immediately. and all of which has All-Star potential.

All this being said, I think the Twins are NUTS to not re-sign Santana.