The Twins are expected to speak again with the Red Sox today about trading ace lefthander Johan Santana, according to sources, but the Red Sox have been unwilling to include center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury in the same package as lefthander Jon Lester, and their position is not likely to change.
If the Red Sox are unable to satisfy Minnesota’s trade demands, the Yankees are poised to pounce. They decided Friday night to include pitcher Phil Hughes in a possible package with center fielder Melky Cabrera in an effort to land Santana, according to multiple reports.
The Twins reportedly informed the Yankees they were prepared to deal Santana to the Red Sox unless the 21-year-old Hughes was part of the deal. Fearing Santana would join Josh Beckett to give their rivals two aces, the Yankees decided to put Hughes on the table.
After hearing from the Yankees, the Twins asked the Red Sox for pitching prospect Clay Buchholz, but the Red Sox refused to part with Buchholz, according to the New York Post.
Ellsbury is also a sticking point. If the Red Sox were to include Ellsbury in a package for Santana, the Twins would probably be required to expand the deal and that is not likely either.
The Yankees now may be the favorite to land Santana, who will be 29 in March.
Tags: johan santana, phillip hughes