Don't be surprised if Johan Santana is a Yankee before the season gets underway.

[Sandman42]

Re: Don't be surprised if Johan Santana is a Yankee before the season gets underway.

It's quotes like these, that make me hate the Yankees, and their entire organization, even more. Where does Hank get the nerve to talk to the Twins like this? He has an ego the size of Russia, and that goes without saying he's cocking and arrogant. If I'm Bill Smith (the Twins General Manager), I say "No Santana for you." (Kind of like the 'soup-Nazi' off of Seinfield.) Hank has made it clear that he'll use intimidation in any negotiation the Yankees are involved in, and quite frankly, it's childish. As far as the Twins losing the Yankees as possible trade partners, who cares? We may be missing out on one of the better pitching prospects currently in baseball, but I'll take two non-Yankee positional prospects over him at this point-and-time.

It's not just you who despises Hank. I'm pretty sure most Yankee fans are already getting tired of him and he's only been in this position for 2 months.

[SkinsBoYee]

Re: Don't be surprised if Johan Santana is a Yankee before the season gets underway.

I agree with everything you posted, but I can't really cry about how unfair everything is. Our owner is the richest in baseball, but he is very cheap. We are really dumping salary this offseason and will probably fall back in where we are in terms of payroll. We are looking at possibly having around $20 million off of our payroll for next year which is a joke. It could be even more if we trade Joe Nathan as has been rumored.

Agreed...not saying anything is unfair. This is the system and the Yanks and Bo Sox will continue to thrive under the system. Its the current system that has created this and things will like this for the distant future. And yes, we all know Angelos has money, but he doesn't quite have the lure of Boston or New York. So, now...a once proud baseball town will be reduced to playing like a small market team...and can only "hope to compete" against the true players in Baseball. This is the problem I have. I can't take a professional sport or Franchise serious if a said team can only "hope to compete". I know baseball is different..its about building the farm..and then building your team and players and growing your team. But when a player or team matures into a star or a power, and then a MONEY MARKET team swoops in and simple flex's its money muscles to snatch that player from the team that groomed that said player into the star they have become......doesn't something seem amiss?

Again, I am not trying to solve the underlying problems of our American past time...but man its getting old. And your absolutely right...as long as baseball is making all this cash and continues to thrive in a system that seems to have survived steroids and having a class based system of teams where 6 teams seem to have a chance every year....nothing will change.

[BunnyHardaway]

Re: Don't be surprised if Johan Santana is a Yankee before the season gets underway.

Hank is horrible. Why can't he keep his mouth shut?

I only hope that he's just the voice, and Cashman is still doing the work behind the scenes. But I don't know.

I have a feeling that Hank will be like Peter Angelos...and whoever the GM is is just a puppet and a yes man who isn't allowed to do anything without consulting him.

Lucky for us Orioles fans, Peter seems to have changed his ways.

[Mr.Burns]

Re: Don't be surprised if Johan Santana is a Yankee before the season gets underway.

And yes, we all know Angelos has money, but he doesn't quite have the lure of Boston or New York. So, now...a once proud baseball town will be reduced to playing like a small market team...and can only "hope to compete" against the true players in Baseball.

That's a bunch of BS. There is no better allure than that of cash money. $$$$$$. You fall under "hope to compete" category if your GM/Owner isn't willing to upgrade the team, however that might be, but that's on them. Nobody is going to feel sorry for you. They get revenue from teams like RedSox and Yankees, so if they're not investing it back into the ball club, of course you're going to be saying I/We "hope to compete" with Boston and LA/etc. Yet if they do, that "hope" word turns into "should". "Should compete". If they don't compete, then they just suck. ;P My $.2 cents.

[BunnyHardaway]

Re: Don't be surprised if Johan Santana is a Yankee before the season gets underway.

That's a bunch of BS. There is no better allure than that of cash money. $$$$$$. You fall under "hope to compete" category if your GM/Owner isn't willing to upgrade the team, however that might be, but that's on them. Nobody is going to feel sorry for you. They get revenue from teams like RedSox and Yankees, so if they're not investing it back into the ball club, of course you're going to be saying I/We "hope to compete" with Boston and LA/etc. Yet if they do, that "hope" word turns into "should". "Should compete". If they don't compete, then they just suck. ;P My $.2 cents.

A lot of people seem to forget that the Orioles had a $90 million+ payroll last year. Now that Andy MacPhail is here, Angelos seems to have let go of the reins and let Andy take charge as far as baseball moves go. He built the Twins into world champions and almost built the first Cubs team to make the World Series in forever. I think they will spend whatever money necessary to compete, and by money I don't mean all in free agency, but scouting and development as well. I think they'll develop the guys in-house and won't let them leave, starting with Nick Markakis.

Baltimore is a sleeping giant as far as baseball markets go. We have some of the best fans in baseball, but we're snakebitten because of the last 10 years. Once they show a commitment to correcting their errors and get a winning team back here, we'll start showing up, and I have a very good feeling that this will start this offseason. Once this happens, it will again be a very attractive place to play baseball, and people will WANT to play here.

Look at the first half of 2005. Camden Yards was a madhouse for the first time since 1997. We'll be back. It might not be the same without Memorial Stadium, but the fans will be back.

[CMH]

Re: Don't be surprised if Johan Santana is a Yankee before the season gets underway.

Hank is sorta right though.

The only problem is he's talking about it too much.

But, no GM/Owner would be happy with a team telling them, "Good offer. Now we are going to the other team and tell them what you offered."

"Hey, just got back from a discussion. They upped the ante. What are you going to do?"

"Ok, cool. Thanks. Will get back to you because we want to see if the other team will offer more."

I mean, I get it. It's a trade discussion. That's what happens. But, it does seem like the Twins are trying to use each team to milk the other and get more.

Moreno ripped into the Marlins for doing the same and nobody was up in arms over it.

[Meatdawg]

Re: Don't be surprised if Johan Santana is a Yankee before the season gets underway.

I think Hank had to take a stand because the Twins would of just keep going back and forth for the better offer. At least now hopefully this will get done this week, so we can move on to other trade topics.

As a Sox fan, I'd hate to give up Jacoby to get Santana, because we dont have a lead off hitter, and coco just cant get it done. I still think the sox are bluffing and just trying to get the Yanks to pay the most possable for Santana.

I allready like that the Yanks are willing to give up Hughes and Melky, now if they will just throw in Kennedy, I can be happy that they overpaid.

[Porschebenz2001]

Re: Don't be surprised if Johan Santana is a Yankee before the season gets underway.

"I'm not going to be played against the Red Sox. That's not something that i'll do. That's not something the Yankees should ever do, and that's what i think they're trying to do now".

Isn't this the same guy that said the Yankees would not negotiate with ARod if he opted out of his contract. yet three weeks later agreed in principal with him on the richest contract in sports history?.

Here's some Kool-Aid for you Hank, bottoms up!.

I think Cash said that originally, before the season. Then Hank dogged Arod and his agent though. He looked like a tool for crawling back and overpaying.

If Cash is running things, I don't think Kennedy or Cano are going anywhere. Who knows right now though. If I was the Yanks I'd just wait till after next year and sign him. It's not the end of the world if they can't trade for him. If they are intent on an ace, then Danny Haren would be better right now.

[SkinsBoYee]

Re: Don't be surprised if Johan Santana is a Yankee before the season gets underway.

That's a bunch of BS. There is no better allure than that of cash money. $$$$$$. You fall under "hope to compete" category if your GM/Owner isn't willing to upgrade the team, however that might be, but that's on them. Nobody is going to feel sorry for you. They get revenue from teams like RedSox and Yankees, so if they're not investing it back into the ball club, of course you're going to be saying I/We "hope to compete" with Boston and LA/etc. Yet if they do, that "hope" word turns into "should". "Should compete". If they don't compete, then they just suck. ;P My $.2 cents.

Mr. Burns...I agree with you in all you said. My point...teams like the O's though can not compete with teams like the Yanks and the Sox, who can spend 54 MILLION JUST TO TALK TO A GUY FROM JAPAN. Follow? Is this the proper way teams get talent? Does everyone have a shot at a guy like that? Do the Royals or Marlins dream of having players want to play with them and have the ability that other teams have such as the Yanks and Sox to actual sign these stars when they have matured in smaller market teams? And because of all this, does baseball really have an even playing field?

I agree...an owner could spend all he wanted....and should spend enough to field a competitive team...other then the Marlins in recent years, I would say all owners have done their best to do so. With the O's as an example...they are not a bottom barrel team that does not spend money. They have spent money on all the wrong people and yes, that is their fault and stupidity. But what they almost have to do being this mid level team is almost over spend to get lesser talent just to appear to be trying to stay competitive.... Abrey Huff is the type of player we are relegated to.

I am very much looking forward to what or new GM will do....yes his success has been seen in the past. The real problems could come once we clean house, groom talent, let them mature, and then have the Yanks or Sox swoop in and snatch our Harvest. So in the end...is it worth it.

[SkinsBoYee]

Re: Don't be surprised if Johan Santana is a Yankee before the season gets underway.

PS: sorry for wrapping a totally off the thread subject into this thread....i think they are relevant, somehow.

[CMH]

Re: Don't be surprised if Johan Santana is a Yankee before the season gets underway.

I think Cash said that originally, before the season. Then Hank dogged Arod and his agent though. He looked like a tool for crawling back and overpaying.

If Cash is running things, I don't think Kennedy or Cano are going anywhere. Who knows right now though. If I was the Yanks I'd just wait till after next year and sign him. It's not the end of the world if they can't trade for him. If they are intent on an ace, then Danny Haren would be better right now.

How is Danny Haren better than Johan Santana?

And I thought I read someone say that Haren had a better year than Santana in 2007. Maybe it was in the MLB Offseason Thread. Well, whereever it was, that's not true either.

[Porschebenz2001]

Re: Don't be surprised if Johan Santana is a Yankee before the season gets underway.

How is Danny Haren better than Johan Santana?

And I thought I read someone say that Haren had a better year than Santana in 2007. Maybe it was in the MLB Offseason Thread. Well, whereever it was, that's not true either.

I'm not saying he is better than Johan. I said he would be better option right now. Because he is cheaper, has a 3 year deal i believe, and you wouldn't have to give up as much for him.

Edit: Forgot to write option originally.

[Meatdawg]

Re: Don't be surprised if Johan Santana is a Yankee before the season gets underway.

If the A's wait till after Santana is traded, they can get more for Haren since the team left will fill pressured to compete with the other team getting Santana.

Also the A's are not in the same boat the Twins are, they don't have to do anything with Haren.

Haren is also no where near as good as Santana. I would rather have Bedard then Haren.

[snepp]

Re: Don't be surprised if Johan Santana is a Yankee before the season gets underway.

I'm not saying he is better than Johan. I said he would be better option right now. Because he is cheaper, has a 3 year deal i believe, and you wouldn't have to give up as much for him.

Edit: Forgot to write option originally.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2007/12/beane-has-high.html

[Sandman42]

Re: Don't be surprised if Johan Santana is a Yankee before the season gets underway.

I'm not saying he is better than Johan. I said he would be better option right now. Because he is cheaper, has a 3 year deal i believe, and you wouldn't have to give up as much for him.

Edit: Forgot to write option originally.

Haren's asking price is higher than Santana. Since he's still cost controlled for the next 3 years, Beane knows he doesn't have to trade him yet so he is asking for at least 2 top prospects from any team. I don't really see a deal being done with him for Haren. He wants 2 of Joba, Hughes, and Kennedy or Buchholz and Ellsbury from the Red Sox.