Johan Santana said yesterday that he doesn't see himself being a part of the Twins' future because they won't do what it takes to win. So is he just being a grumpy athlete, or does he have legitimate complaints?
Both. When Terry Ryan (Twins GM) sent Luis Castillo to the Mets on Monday and only got two mid-level minor leaguers, it seemed to be a "looking to the future" move. Unless he was planning on making a big move for a bat on Tuesday. Which he didn't.
It's true that signing Castillo after this year just wasn't going to happen. However, when Ryan says that it doesn't mean he is giving up on the 2007 season -- well, I don't buy it. When you truly believe you are in it to win it, you don't trade your starting second baseman and a consistently above-.300 hitter for prospects, even if you think he is going to walk at the end of the season.
That being said, Ryan is in a tough place. Santana, Joe Nathan, Torii Hunter, and Justin Morneau are all in need of contracts or contract extensions. Money has to come from somewhere. And even though the Twins wrapped up a 7-game losing streak last week, they have won 4 in a row since, and are only 6 games back of Detroit and 5 back from Cleveland -- with two months to go. My guess is that Ryan himself was wondering if the Twins are in it or not.
If the Twins do have a run left in them, and they do end up in the playoffs -- which I concede is a longshot, especially with Detroit and Cleveland being two very solid teams -- maybe Santana will get over it and hope to resign with the Twins.
That being said, in an era where mediocre pitchers are receiving big-money contracts -- Santana will likely be in a Yankees or Red Sox uniform in the near future.
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1 comment:
I'll gladly take him!
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