With the offseason hitting it's quiet point, I wanted to get some insight about some of the deals we've been hearing so much about like Johan Santana and Erik Bedard. Who better to talk to than ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.
Baseball-Rumors: Are we going to see Johan Santana change uniforms prior to Spring Training and who's the most likely to land him at this point?
Jerry Crasnick: I've been skeptical throughout about the Twins trading Johan Santana. If Francisco Liriano comes back at full strength, the Twins have a legit chance to compete for a postseason berth. And as a lot of baseball people have pointed out, if Minnesota fades from contention, GM Bill Smith could always move Santana in July before the deadline.
I've always thought that Smith will hold out as long as possible because this is such a huge deal for him and the future of the organization: If he doesn't receive a clear "win'' in terms of a haul of prospects, he might be better off keeping Santana.
That said, the Mets' persistence in pursuing Santana makes me think there's a decent chance this could get done before spring training. The Mets' young prospects don't get the respect that Boston's or the Yankees' kids receive, but I think Omar Minaya is creative and motivated enough to make a deal here. The Mets really want Santana, and they have the money to sign him to a long-term contract.
Right now I'd say it's 60-40 that Santana will get moved before spring training. I'd rate the Mets ahead of the Yankees and Boston, in that order. I really think the Red Sox would be just as happy to keep all their kids.
Baseball-Rumors: With the Angels adding Torii Hunter, do you expect them to approach teams about dealing Gary Mathews Jr?
Jerry Crasnick: I haven't heard anything about the Angels shopping Gary Matthews. There was some brief speculation that they might try to void his contract in light of owner Arte Moreno's opposition to steroids and the revelations last year about Matthews and PEDs. But the rumors were unfounded.
Garret Anderson is getting older and Vlad Guerrero is beaten up, and the Angels seem to think they have enough at-bats for Anderson, Vlad, Matthews and Hunter between the outfield and the DH spots.
Baseball-Rumors: Ken Rosenthal reported yesterday that the Mariners could be exploring a deal for Erik Bedard, possibly trading their top prospect Adam Jones. Does this deal get done and does it make the Mariners a legit competitor in the AL West?
Jerry Crasnick: The Mariners have been talking to Baltimore off-and-on about Bedard all winter, but someone with Seattle told me the Orioles are looking for a "Herschel Walker'' type package.
I guess the question of whether the deal gets done depends upon how much talent Bill Bavasi is willing to give up in an effort to win this year and secure his job. I think the chances are at least 50-50 that the Mariners can land Bedard. But if it hasn't happened by now, you have to wonder.
If the Mariners acquire Bedard, a rotation of Felix Hernandez, Bedard, Jarrod Washburn, Carlos Silva and Miguel Batista would put them right in the mix in the AL West. They're still not as good as the Angels, but they'd be better than Oakland and Texas, and a potential wild card team.
Baseball-Rumors: I was a little surprised that the Rockies signed Marcus Giles. Is he better than their internal options at 2nd base?
Jerry Crasnick: The Rockies want former first round pick Jayson Nix to win their starting second base job. He played pretty well for Triple A Colorado Springs and was the MVP for Team USA in the World Cup.
Giles is in Colorado strictly as insurance. He signed a minor league deal for a low base salary if he makes the big league club, so there's really no risk for the Rockies.
Baseball-Rumors: Did Mike Cameron's suspension really hurt him as far as the kind of deal he was looking for?
Jerry Crasnick: Cameron, as you know, just signed a one-year deal with a club option with Milwaukee. I think the amphetamine suspension definitely hurt him. He appeared to be in line to sign an Eric Byrnes type deal (three years and $30 million) before all his options dried up on him.
Baseball-Rumors: The Padres hold club options on both Brian Giles and Trevor Hoffman. Is this the last season for both players?
Jerry Crasnick: The Padres have a $9 million option on Brian Giles for 2009 (with a $3 million buyout). I think 2008 is the end of the line for him in San Diego. He's coming off microfracture surgery on his knee, and he'll play at 37 years old this season. It seems like it's time for the Padres to move on.
I'm not so sure about Hoffman. Things didn't end very well for him in 2007, but he still had 42 saves and a 2.98 ERA.
People forget that Hoffman almost left San Diego for Cleveland before signing his last deal. You'd like to think he'll finish his career with the Padres, but there was some acrimony during those last talks.
I can envision him sticking around and making a push for 600 saves. But the Padres aren't the type of team to pay a closer $12 million a year out of "respect'' or sentiment. So I'm sure there'll be some dicey moments during the negotiating process.
