The agent for Johan Santana has told the Yankees, Red Sox and other teams interested in Twins star pitcher that the price to sign him is a minimum of seven years at $20 million per year, for a total of $140 million guaranteed.

The Twins definitely will not meet that price. The Twins did offer Santana his $13.25 million salary for 2008 and four more years for a total of $80 million. The question is, will other clubs pay Santana's price?

Furthermore, the Twins have given up on signing free agent pitcher Carlos Silva, who is looking for a four-year contract calling for $10 million per year.

There is good reason why the Twins want Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury in a Santana deal. Ellsbury hit .452 in 17 games at Class AA Portland and then had a 25-game hitting streak at Class AAA Pawtucket before being called up by Boston. The 2005 first-round pick out of Oregon State hit .353 in 33 games in the majors and then took over as the starting center fielder in the postseason as the Red Sox won the World Series.

The pitcher the Twins want from the Red Sox is Clay Buchholz, who went a combined 8-5 with a 2.44 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 125 1/3 innings between Portland and Pawtucket. When called up by the Red Sox, Buchholz no-hit Baltimore in his second big league start and went 3-1 with a 1.59 ERA in four games.

The Twins are being patient, hoping the Red Sox want Santana bad enough to give up both of the great prospects.