Wait a Second...

After yesterdays Devil Rays-Twins trade, can someone explain to me why it is a foregone conclusion that the Twins should trade Johan Santana now? The Twins just traded a guy that projected to be in their starting rotation for a player who will be 22 years old on opening day and was as highly touted a prospect as any over the past 15 years. From my view the Twins have a chance to compete in the American League next year. Why not run with that?

The Twins can have a top of the rotation of Santana and Francisco Liriano. Now I know Liriano is still a question mark, but recovery from Tommy John surgery has become more and more common place in the game of baseball. A full recovery should be expected. Maybe not by opening day, but by midseason. After those two you have a trio of decent options in Kevin Slowley, Boof Bonser and Scott Baker. Not to mention the possible options of a cheap free agent/trade acquisition or minor league option. Not the greatest rotation in the world, but good enough where they felt they could trade from a strength.

As far as the line-up goes, you now have a middle of the order of Morneau, Mauer, Cuddyer and Young. I strongly believe that Delmon Young could put up bigger numbers next year than Torii Hunter gave them. Hunter, while great defensively and great in the clubhouse was never a top offensive performer. In addition, there are a lot of trade options out there for a center fielder. From the sounds of it, they may have an opportunity to get a guy like Coco Crisp, Tony Gwynn Jr. or David DeJesus. I am not making this team out to be the '27 Yankees or whatever but they could easily put together a line-up with more firepower than they have been used to in recent years.

Lastly, we always know how great the Twins bullpen and manager is. Gardenhire is probably the most underrated manager in all of baseball. I never hear his name amongst the top managers, but every time I see the Twins play they are playing harder than the other team. They are just a tough team, no matter who is injured and where they are in the standings. They go hard into second, they go first to third on a single, and they always find themselves in one run ballgames. There is no reason the this franchise should basically throw in the towel for this season by trading their best play and also the best pitcher in the game.

I know what people are thinking...if the Twins can't afford to pay Santana when he becomes a free agent, then doesn't it make sense to trade him and get a boatload of good young players? I understand that. What about this though? You go into the season with Santana and you make a run for a title. If at the trading deadline you think you are out of it then trade him to the highest bidder. I have trouble believing that you are not going to get top dollar for him then as opposed to now. Heck, you might even get more. Imagine the bidding war if the Red Sox and Yankees are within a game of each other at the time. Or if the Mets are two games behind the Braves. There will be hysteria unlike any trading deadline since Randy Johnson was traded to the Astros a few years back. Remember that the Mariners got both Freddy Garcia and Carlos Guillen in that deal. Not bad at all.

All I am saying is give your franchise and your fans a chance. This way you can still trade Santana if you think that is best, or you can potentially find yourself in the playoffs. There is no chance you can compete in the AL Central next year without Santana. It is just way too tough of a division. The one advantage you have on the rest of baseball is Santana. Don't get rid of him before giving your fanbase one more chance to win. I think that would go a long way to showing your dedication to the people of Minnesota and winning. Oh yeah, and remember the absolute worst case scenario of not making the playoffs and not trading Santana? Well, you still get two draft picks when he signs somewhere else. Not great, but it is something that would help you restock your farm system. You need your fans loyalty going into a new stadium in a couple of years (especially since it is outdoors...imagine those April games in frigid Minneapolis).

Knicks...

The NY Post said it last week and that is the Knicks are already looking at Chris Mullin to replace Isiah. I am going on record right now in saying that I support that pick 100%. Look at what he was able to do in Golden State. Traded peanuts for Baron Davis. Pulled off a steal in getting Al Harrington and Stephen Jackson for Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy. He also drafted Monta Ellisn(second rounder) and Andra Beidris. Probably most importantly, he was able to convince his owner to rehiring Don Nelson, who he had a major beef with in the past. Mullin has shown a lot of balls in making risky deals, and more often than not he has wound up on top. The Knicks are a major project, and I want a guy who knows not only the League, but the City as well. Mullin is a St. John's and New York legend. He would be around for a long time. You know what though? This just makes way too much sense for it to ever happen with the Knicks. Good article below....please read.

Lastly...look for me at the Knicks/Celtics game in Boston tonight. I will be the one with the orange and blue blindfold over my eyes.

http://nyobserver.com/2007/life-knicks-hell

STKAFI