Johan Sweepstakes: Ellsbury is in

By Dan in Red Sox ⋅ December 2, 2007 at 4:37pm ⋅ Post a comment

According to Buster Olney, the Twins yesterday made it clear they want Jacoby Ellsbury as the centerpiece for any deal for Johan Santana.

The Red Sox have been willing to trade Ellsbury but not willing to trade him and Jon Lester or Clay Buchholz. So the Red Sox have reproposed a deal with Ellsbury involved, although earlier in the talks trades with Ellsbury were already discussed.

Meanwhile on the Yankees side they have said they are going to pull the offer off the table soon, perhaps by Tuesday, if the Twins don’t decide. It’s an interesting negotiating ploy by the Yankees but it is early in the off-season for the Yankees to cut all talks with another team. The Yankees have insisted with Philip Hughes and Melky Cabrera they will not include as the third player SP Ian Kennedy or Alan Horne, or outfielder Austin Jackson.

It is still possible the Twins will keep Johan and start the season with him, if no team offers enough.

It comes down to whether the Twins want Philip Hughes or Jacoby Ellsbury as the center piece of their trade.

Tags: Clay Buchholz, Jacoby Ellsbury, Johan Santana, Jon Lester, New York Yankees

Discussion

2 comments for “Johan Sweepstakes: Ellsbury is in”

Sox would be crazy to give up Ellsbury. The kid is a producer, and with all the pitching they have now in addition to all the pitching still available out there, I think Santana is overpriced.

Posted by john | December 2, 2007, 10:33 pm
Ellsbury has only performed on a limited basis. Johan is the king and will be the king for many years. Get Johan and you’re the favorite in any playoff series, be it 5 or 7 games. Coco or any other CF will fill in for the value of Ellsbury well enough. Getting Johan puts the Red Sox on the verge of dynasty.

Posted by XMotha | December 3, 2007, 12:53 am