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Santana has a no-trade clause

Much has been made of the Twins' seemingly bleak chances, for financial reasons, of retaining Johan Santana when he becomes eligible for free agency following the 2008 season. By winning his second Cy Young Award last season, it turns out the left-hander's market value may have increased even more than initially anticipated.

Santana's contract, it has been learned, includes a clause that could hinder the Twins from trading him this year if the club believes it won't be able to re-sign him for 2009.

Being among the top three vote getters for the 2006 Cy Young Award triggered a no-trade provision for Santana for 2007. Had he not been among the top three, Santana had the right, by contract, to choose 12 teams to which he could be traded.

Now, Santana cannot be traded to any team in 2007 without his approval. His price tag could reach $20 million a year on the open market after the 2008 season.

The Twins probably wouldn't want to wait until 2008 to trade him, though, if they determined they wouldn't be able to afford him after that season. By waiting, Santana's trade value could diminish.

With the no-trade clause this year, Santana has leverage to reject any deal unless a team is willing to provide him with a huge contract extension. That could limit the Twins' ability to get market value for him in a trade.

If Santana, a unanimous Cy Young Award choice last season, isn't among the top three Cy Young vote getters after the coming season, his contract reverts to a 12-team limited trade clause for 2008.

Santana, 27, is signed for $12 million this year and $13.25 in 2008. That's considerably below market value considering Barry Zito's recent $18 million per season free-agent contract with San Francisco.

The Yankees' expected trade of five-time Cy Young winner Randy Johnson, 43, and his $16 million contract for this year could be connected to an effort to sign Santana for 2009, when they will move into a new stadium.

i know i've been talking alot lately about a possible play for D-Train, but hell, if there's any shot in hell we could land ourselves Johan Santana, i think you have to go for it, even if it involves trading Phil Hughes in the deal.

thoughts?

D-Train comes alot cheaper

Can we make a run at both? Is this possible?

Posted by Silverfuel:

Can we make a run at both? Is this possible?

probably not unless we want to give up Wang or Cano in the process... we don't have any other young proven major league level talent other than Melky to offer anyone, & prospects alone probably won't get it done for either player... i'm pretty sure Melky will be going in 1 of those deals at the very least.

Posted by nyk4ever:

I'll take Santana 10 times out of 10 over D-Train. D-Train is a nice player but he's nowhere near as dominating as Santana is. Santana is a 27 year old lefty with 2 Cy Young's already and he's not even in his prime yet. I don't care how much money you have to give him, you give it to him.

it's not the money dude... & obviously anyone w/a clue would take Santana over D-Train... we're considering what it would take to trade for him though as compared to D-Train... you'd have to figure it would take a huge package including both Hughes (who is the highest touted pitching prospect the Yankees have had since Brien Taylor) & Melky, & probably more on top.

Not sure I would for Hughes. He's too good. I would offer the 6 prospects and Melky as the most I would give up. Possibly include Karstens who despite a couple early lumps will be very good also. Its a tough one. He's the starter stud we have been lacking in the postseason. But if you dont win a WS with him and you give up Hughes and others your really hurting yourself.

I think we aquired enough in those 6 prospects from Det/Arz + Melky to get their interest. Thats a lot of close to MLB ready depth we are giving up for a guy we all know they cant pay in 2 years. If they say Hughes or broke I walk away. We are in a position of strength here.

Remember Jorge, ARod and Giambi all said Hughes had the nastiest stuff last spring, and that included Mariano.

how about Melky, Britton, Karstens, Sanchez & Clippard for Santana? think that would garner the Twins' interest at all? they'd be getting 2 proven ML level young players, another who showed some glimpses last season, & 2 highly touted prospects for a guy they probably can't afford to re-sign... eh, probably not since none of those guys are can't miss star calibre talent i would imagine.

yeah, i can't think of any way in the world we could get Santana unless Hughes was involved in the deal, unless you're willing to give up Wang or Cano in the process, which probably isn't happening... unless they value Tabata as a can't miss, which he clearly isn't right now at his young age.

waiting for Santana to turn a FA will take a few years, & we all know George isn't getting any younger... i think if the Twins start to shop Santana, then the Yankees will be at the forefront w/prospects in hand... not sure if it would be worth Hughes tho.

[Edited by - TMS on 01-09-2007 1:51 PM]