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Some insight to non-deal for Johan Santana

Feb 15th, 2008 by Bill Burt

According to a source connected to the Red Sox, here are few tidbits I learned today as to why the Red Sox didn’t make the deal for Johan Santana with the Twins:

1. The Sox were only willing to go to extend his deal to 5 years, $100 million for Santana, which is much less than the 6 years and $137.5 million the Mets paid him. Remember, he is getting paid $13.5 million this season as part of his last deal with the Twins.

2. The Twins would have accepted Jacoby Ellsbury, Jon Lester and Jed Lowrie or Ellsbury, Lowrie, Justin Masterson and Ryan Kalish, who played for the Lowell Spinners last season.
But the Sox would not include Lester AND Ellsbury or Ellsbury AND Masterson. Very interesting. As I believe I’ve noted before, an American League GM told me Masterson has the biggest upside of all Red Sox young pitchers, meaning he could be an ace.

3. No player was untouchable. But the Red Sox turned down a few combos, as in Ellsbury AND Lester.

Posted in Red Sox | Comments

  • Marcel
    The Sox need to go to whatever GM it was that you were talking to and hose him in whatever deal they can for Masterson. Dude's got one pitch at this point. Plus sinker, fringe average slider, and a "work-in-progress" change-up (read: barely worth mentioning he throws one.) Keith Law projects him as a great set-up guy, but, as a starter, he would only be a #5 type guy. If someone really would rather have that than Buccholz or Lester, then maybe the Sox can work out a deal for a catching prospect.
  • Marcel
    The Red Sox are the envy of MLB. They have money and they have very good management. My guess is a catching prospect is a year away. People should stop worrying about prospects and the future and enjoy the present. As we speak they are the World Champs.
    As for Masterson, he has a good fastball and very good sinker. They are working on a third pitch. His is 6-foot-6. They have a gem here according to AL general manager. Let's talk about this three years from now.
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