Johan Santana and Miggy

Well Detroit and Florida stole the show, at least for a day or two. I have to absolutely praise Detroit on this one. They picked up one of the best hitters in the game and a guy who may not be very good but save your bullpen some innings, or they got a guy who could be a pretty good pitcher. Dontrelle Willis will determine if this trade is a steal, or a good trade. I've always felt that trading prospects for proven players is always a good deal. Yeah, it sucks if you traded the next Sandy Koufax, but how can you know? What I do know is that Miguel Cabrera is a top five hitter in MLB and you know he's that good. I'd take this trade any day. As for Florida, this is what they do. They pick up really good young players for their stars, then in a few years win the World Series. The best thing? Then they trade those guys who became stars for more really young good players and do it again. They're good for a ring at least once every five to seven years because the guys they traded for were good prospects, then become good players, then win, then get traded for more good prospects. They always have good young players, and good young players eventually get good. They just can't keep them.

Now, the area I'm most concerned with, Johan Santana. Everyone seems to be penciling him in for opening day at Fenway. But just because the Yankees "dropped out" of the race, that doesn't mean the Twins should trade him. Yeah, having Ellsbury would be nice. Same for Lester. But it should be both. And a lot more. If the Red Sox get Santana, they might win the World Series four more times over the next five years. Lester won't put up the pitching numbers. Ellsbury won't turn into an MVP. So why does everyone think the Twins will trade for Ellsbury and a couple prospects? The Twins would get ZERO proven players. The Twins should be getting either two absolute stud prospects and a few other very good prospects, or they should be getting two proven players and the prospects. The Marlins got a pretty good haul for essentially Cabrera. You're telling me that the Twins can't, shouldn't, and WON'T get more for Santana? I said a while ago the twins should get Ellsbury (Good prospect) Lester (Good prospect) Kevin Youkilis (Proven player) and another guy, not necessarily an all-star, but you know he can play in the big leagues and you know what he gives you. That's how good Santana is. You're telling me the Twins are going to get two of those guys (i.e. Lester and Coco), and probably the worst two they should be getting? Hold on to him. Tell him you're going to do everything you can to keep him in Minny and keep him a winner. Trade another young pitching prospect for another hitter (Like the Garza-Young trade). Try to win this year. If you do well, you'll make money, maybe you can re-sign Santana, and maybe you can be a really good team. Imagine if the Twins had traded for Cabrera. It probably could have happened. Young, and a few pitching prospects? Maybe would have worked. But Pohlad would never pay, so its foolish anyways. Look to see #57 on opening day wearing a TC on his hat.