The Yankees haven’t abandoned the idea of landing Johan Santana, despite whispers that suggest otherwise, but the Twins may have to initiate the discussions.
Yesterday, in dismissing an Internet report that indicated his team is no longer a player in the Santana sweepstakes, Yankees GM Brian Cashman suggested he could still make a deal for the ace lefty, if the Twins lower the asking price.
Cashman wouldn’t name the players Minnesota wants, but another Yankees official said the Twins haven’t budged from their demand of Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera, Ian Kennedy and Jeff Marquez.
“I know what [the Twins] want,” Cashman said. “If they call and give us something else to think about, we’ll discuss it.”
The Red Sox and Mets are the other suitors for Santana, who can become a free agent after this season. Even if the Yankees and Twins were to agree on players, Santana and the Yanks would have to negotiate a new contract. Santana is looking for a six-year $150 million deal or perhaps a seven-year pact for slightly less than $25 million annually. The Yankees have indicated they won’t offer seven years.
As for the Mets, according to a person familiar with the situation, they are unwilling to go further than a five-year extension for Santana. That would be added on to his current 2008 pact, meaning the Mets would still control him for six years.
The Mets, the person said, are not engaged in heavy discussions with the Twins. They have discussed what prospects would potentially be included in a deal, but there is no standing “best offer,” per se. The Mets are refusing to include Jose Reyes, David Wright or Carlos Beltran.
Twins GM Bill Smith told The Post that although spring training is approaching, that doesn’t mean the Twins are closer to having the situation settled.
“We’re not locking ourselves into anything,” Smith said. “Right now Johan Santana’s our Opening Day starter and I like our chances. I keep saying that. If he’s our Opening Day starter, I like our chances.”
Smith also said it would be “ideal” to get major league-ready players back in any deal, though he admitted he’d be willing to make a trade without that included as well.
You can count Robinson Cano among the Yankees who want Santana in pinstripes.
“It’s a sweet deal if we can get Santana, we need a No. 1 guy,” Cano said yesterday in Randolph, NJ, where he spoke to elementary school children.
Cano’s enthusiasm for a Santana trade to the Yanks isn’t dampened by the fact it would likely mean dealing Cabrera, his closest friend on the team.
Though Cabrera was the Yankees’ starting center fielder for most of last season, Cano said there’s no guarantee that would be the case in 2008 – Johnny Damon is under contract for two more years – and a trade might be the best thing for Cabrera.
“I love Melky, but he would play every day in Minnesota, so if there’s a deal it’s probably going to be great for him,” Cano said. “I’m going to be happy for him, that’s what I told him.”
As much as Cano wants Santana on the team, he indicated the only way not getting him would be a catastrophe is if the Red Sox did.
“If they get Santana, they’re going to be a way better team,” Cano said. “But I hope we get him. It’s not a good [thing] for us if they get Santana.”