Twins And Red Sox Still Talking Santana....

Good Tuesday morning! This is from the Tuesday Hartford Courant. I'll be back with a few comments after you read this....

"Santana update: The Twins have picked up where they left off last week and continued exploring potential trade options for lefthander Johan Santana, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported.
While no deal is imminent, there were indications that they are focused on the Red Sox's package of center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, shortstop Jed Lowrie and righthander Justin Masterson, with the sides haggling over a fourth player.
The report said talks with the Yankees are dormant."

Peter here. Interesting stuff, especially the last sentence. I always thought the Yankees would swoop in when the talks died down and steal the show, but with the Red Sox and their package of Ellsbury (ouch! Coco will be happy), Lowrie and Masterson, and another undetermined player who will NOT be a major leaguer, Minnesota has to jump in and close the deal. Logic prevents me from believing anything else. That leaves Jon Lester safe and sound, but the rotation will swell to seven. So expect a trade of some kind, maybe for the bullpen help that is still needed. With Delcarmen, Okajima and Timlin setting up for Papelbon, another arm will be needed for that specific role. Theo will get him-of that I am certain. With Jacoby's maybe departure, another outfielder will be needed to join Manny, Coco and JD. Of course, these moves are all dependent on the Sox and Twins pulling that mutual trigger. I have to think this is something that's going to happen. Sooner or later. Minnesota does not want to be stuck with a draft pick when Santana files for free agency, not when a replacement centerfielder the likes of Jacoby Ellsbury can become their starter out there.

Click on the title of this post for the Boston Herald's Rob Bradford's Red Sox Notebook. It mentions everything from Mike Lowell's invitation to the White House to the ongoing Minnesota talks, and more. So just click on the title, and have a great Tuesday. There is a ton of snow in the short and long range forecasts for interior Connecticut and most of southern New England, with a maybe "super storm" for the weekend. It bears watching, and I'll keep you up to the minute with all the ifs, ands and buts, in my own meteorological style, of course. Snow, NO ICE, please!

My Constant Readers, be well. And thanks for stopping in yet again on this eleventh day of December, the day AFTER my birthday, a day which is always a blue one for me. Oh well, never mind about that. Do you have anything to say about the prospect of another starter added to our great as it is rotation? I'd love to read any and all comments, and I will respond to each and every one. Until then, make the most of your day. Sometimes that's easy, sometimes it ain't. Gotta go!!