As 10:30 p.m. — and the slightly unsatisfying Heroes finale — has come and gone, Hank Steinbrenner’s artificial deadline is fast approaching, the Yanks and Twins are meeting, but a denouement to this drama seems unlikely.
The first reports that a deal may not be reached tonight arrived via Will Carroll. He claims that Twins GM Bill Smith is not backing off his wish to land Ian Kennedy or Jose Tabata as well as Phil Hughes and Melky Cabrera. Greedy much?
But the truth is far more simple. Despite what this guy has to say — “I can’t see anyone out bidding us talent wise” — Phil Hughes is a much better talent option than Jacoby Ellsbury. If Smith lets this midnight deadline pass without pulling the trigger, he will have sacrificed his best option, and if the Yanks really do pull out of these talks in 75 minutes, the Red Sox will greatly reduce their offer as well. That’s why the Yanks and Twins are talking.
Meanwhile, MetsBlog’s Matt Cerrone reports than Smith is talking to other teams despite Santana’s proclamation that he will go only to the Yanks or the Red Sox. Cerrone also feels that there may have been a deal nearly completed earlier today that got pulled back, but that’s just speculation on his part.
Finally, ESPN reports that Brian Cashman and Johan Santana’s agent were on the same flight to Nashville today. How’s that for tampering, Bill Smith? Maybe Cashman had the stewardess slip Santana’s agent a note recommended that they just sit tight until next winter. I love conspiracy theories that aren’t true.
Anyway, we’ll be here until something happens or until nothing happens, and right now, it’s looking like nothing is going to happen quite yet.
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