Johan Santana on his way to the Red Sox?

Seeing Johan in a Red Sox hat is a tune I could get used to. (SawxBlog Illustration)

Word out on the streets is that the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins have exchanged medical information on both Johan Santana and Jon Lester which would be the first major step into bringing the left handed ace to Fenway Park. This is beyond exciting and would be the second off-season in a row the Red Sox have trumped the field in obtaining a prized and gifted pitcher.

I know people love the kids the Red Sox have been brining up through our system, however barring injuries, obtaining Santana makes the Red Sox pitching staff 1990's Atlanta Braves good, which...well...is very good indeed. I love Lester. I love Jacoby. But I really love the idea of solidifying our pitching staff for years to come and building around that. With Beckett and Santana we'd arguably have the two best pitchers alive and it'd be a righty / lefty combo to boot. Holler at you boy.

What makes this deal even sweeter is that it may not even include Jacoby which I'd really be ecstatic about, but like I said, when it comes to a talent like Johan, your ceiling gets a lot higher. If I were a Yankee fan I'd be furious with my front office and management if this goes down. The Yanks needed Santana, and the Sox really didn't. Again, this is a testament to our front office and ownership. Theo's been doing laps around Cashman for awhile now, and while the Steinbrenner's are worried about making nice quotes for the back page of the Post and News, John Henry sits in the shadows and hires the best people available to do their jobs. All I have to say is good luck with Haren.

Still this isn't a done deal, but like I said, even if it doesn't happen it's no big deal for the Sox. We have our major league squad already basically set for next season (it's only 12/4 people), and we have a plethora of young talent in our farm to develop and use as we wish. We're the World Champs, the Patriots are perfect, and the Celtics are back, why not have Johan join in on the fun? High times indeed.

• ESPN on Red Sox and Santana
• Boston.com on the deal
• Boston Herald weighs in
• Star Tribune reports from Nashville

Comments

[ET90210]

Kind off odd, but pretty close resemblance! haha

http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2007/12/04/beavis-and-hank-steinbrenner/

[redsoxfan]

Keep Jon Lester and Jacoby Ellsbury, I don't think we need to trade these 2 or even one of them to get a 2 time Cy young winner.

Just my opinion.

[DAD]

Some people think the only reason the Sox got into this in the first place was to drive up the price on the Yankees. Now that thier out, the hold deal might fall down and the twins might back off till a later date.

[Troy]

I agree with you DAD. I think the Red Sox were putting in Jacoby Ellsbury to see if the Yankees would go one step further and put up Joba Chamberlain. Well that didn't happen. Apparently the Yanks are really intent on keeping their bug lover Chamberlain. I would have let go of him for Santana. He's still really young and can't handle himself under pressure situation. Hank Steinbrenner is a moron which ends up helping the Red Sox.

[Spencer]

I think that gettign Santana for lester is a great trade if we loose jacoby in the trade that is ok. Jacoby is good with his bat abd glove along with amazing speed. however if we trade Jacoby that also means that we keep coco crisp whom is a gold glove contender great speed and an excelent bunter so if we loose either lester or Jacoby getting Johan could mean a reapeat!

[redsoxfan]

Coco may be a Gold Glove contender, but he can't hit himself out of a paper bag.I would rather see Crisp go then lose Lester and Ellsbury.

[Pat]

I think Theo is holding strong to not letting go of both Lester and Ellsbury. So, if the trade does or does not go through, we win.

If the Twins don't trade for Lester, I really hope Lester makes them regret it, big time.

[redsoxfan]

I really think that Lester is going to be a force to reckon w/ in 08.

He's got some stuff in that arm that nobody really has seen yet.

I hope he stays w/ Boston, hes a awesome role model, someone to look up too, and I think hes going to be a great pitcher next year.

[redsoxfan]

you need a new blog, your behind;-)

[azsoxfan]

Wake up man, you haven't done anything this offseason. I have no problem with a vacation, but things are happening out there!

[Chris]

Off topic, but checkout Tebow's GF!!

http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2007/12/11/must-be-nice-to-win-a-heisman/

[Aaron]

Hi,

I came across your blog and thought you might be interested in a "sports trivia widget" that we recently released for blog sites. You can customize the content to show only the sports\teams you are interested in ( e.g. Boston RedSox). You can see a sample of the "all sports" version here: http://www.triviafix.com/widget/sportsnut.html (every day is a new question). You can see a Blogger version here http://sportstrivianut.blogspot.com. Let me know if you are interested and I will set up a custom widget for you. Also, take a look at our sports trivia web site at www.triviafix.com How can I get a link to the site (or the Red Sox trivia section) on your blog?

Thanks,
Aaron

[Ethan Michaels]

I REALLY wish a deal would just get done but at the same time I'm glad the Sox aren't giving in. By the way, I'm just starting a new blog.

http://modernrooters.blogspot.com/

Check it out if you've got some time and let me know if you'd want to exchange links.

[irish_hammer]

I think grabbing Santana for both Ellsbury and Lester is a huge mistake. Monumental. Lester is getting stronger, and Ellsbury, IMHO - won the World Series for us this year. He triggered all the energy in the team, once they started him. You never know what's going to happen when he's in the game. Lightning in a bottle.

This might be a little late for some - but I stumbled upon this site - it's the official artist of the Sox - looks like he's selling his prints for 1/2 off for XMas. Just bought my Dad, my two brothers in law, and myself a print - all different ones...this guy's stuff is insanely good. Check it out - markwaitkus.com. Merry Christmas - keep Ellsbury!

[Twins Fan]

Ellsbury and Lester or no deal and the yankees can have him next year i cant believe that you wont offer lester and ellbury, think of the big 3 Boston could have. were not asking for Buscholtz we just want a fair deal and without the two of them it can not be a fair deal. Id be fine if the deal was just masterson, lester, ellsbury no lowrie that would be very fair to lock up the best pitcher of the decade ( by the way he is only 28!)

[ejm]

off topic and sorry..but hilarious jd drew commentary below. you get to vote on how awful he was!

http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2007/12/30/a-look-back-jd-drew-year-1/

[Pat]

The sad part about the original post is, as old as it is now, it is still the most recent sox news! WAAAAAAAAA. Give us Johan or let us get on with our lives.

[Ethan Michaels]

A month later, still no Johan but we're still the favorites. I can't wait for the Santana Saga to be over.

Ethan Michaels
http://modernrooters.blogspot.com/

[h8Yankees]

The Newe York Mets have Johan and Jose Reyes still no one else one we won ha ha ha