Top News:
Bob Klapisch / NorthJersey.com:
Yanks draw assist in giving Johan to rival — This was late Monday night, about 12 hours before the Mets would pounce upon their most dramatic trade in recent history. Twins' general manager Bill Smith, in a panic to move Johan Santana, called the Yankees and admitted surrender: Phil Hughes was no longer a prerequisite, he said.
Discussion:
MLB.com, It's Mets For Me, iYankees, MetsBlog.com, the metropolitans, Amazin' Avenue, The Ropolitans, Bronx Liaison, River Ave. Blues and Twinkie Town
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Aaron / AaronGleeman.com:
So Long, Johan … The early days of this blog were filled with a “Free Johan Santana!” campaign that urged the Twins to move their young left-handed phenom into the starting rotation. After Santana spent the majority of four years in the bullpen and another half-season at Triple-A …
La Velle E. Neal III / Minneapolis Star Tribune:
Second Twins pillar departs — Faced with a Tuesday deadline invoked by Johan Santana, the Twins ended months of speculation by agreeing to deal the two-time Cy Young award winner to the New York Mets for four prospects, according to persons with knowledge of the discussions.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Your thoughts on Santana to Mets — As a fan of the Braves, what do you think about the Mets' potential acquisition of All-Star pitcher Johan Santana? — The Mets have already finished ahead of the Braves in the NL East the last two seasons, and picking up a dominant lefthander for the top …
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Twins have met their match for Santana — There was a moment in December when the Red Sox thought they were close to consummating a deal for Twins lefthander Johan Santana, the two-time Cy Young Award winner who with Josh Beckett would have formed a potentially historic 1-2 combination at the top of their pitching rotation.
Jim Salisbury / philly.com:
Mets ace out Phillies with Santana deal — This winter's No. 1 baseball drama (non-steroids division) took a giant step toward resolution yesterday when the Minnesota Twins agreed to send arguably the best starting pitcher in the majors to the New York Mets for four prospects.
Jim Callis / Baseball America Prospects Blog:
Santana Return Not Enough For Twins — With a full no-trade clause and the right to walk away as a free agent after the 2008 season, Johan Santana was able to exert more control over his destiny than most players ever could dream of. After trade rumors swirled around him throughout the offseason …
Discussion:
Purple Row, Dodger Thoughts, SBG Nation Presents …, Phillies Nation, Archie Bunker's Army and ShysterBall
NY Daily News:
Harper: Omar's able to Cash in — In the end, Omar Minaya deserves credit for waiting out the Twins on Johan Santana, finally making this conditional trade without giving up Jose Reyes, Fernando Martinez or Mike Pelfrey. But let's be honest: the GM to whom Mets fans should be most grateful Wednesday is Brian Cashman.
John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Santana deal could spur Orioles to move Bedard — Mets' package makes Mariners' offer look good — The most significant development in the Erik Bedard trade talk Tuesday took place neither in Baltimore nor Seattle. — It took place in New York, where the Mets reached a deal …
Mark Hale / New York Post:
TRADE COULD MAKE AMAZIN'S BEAST OF EAST — With Johan Santana aboard, Billy Wagner believes the Mets can now be classified as one of the best five clubs in the entire sport. — “What we lacked last year going into the season was that excitement and I think this truly puts us back into that top five …
NY Daily News:PULLING AN ACE — The proposed deal between Mets and Twins:
Discussion:
River Ave. Blues
Nate Silver / Unfiltered:Johan in Shea — I know I'm overdue on getting you guys …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings, True Blue LA, Only Baseball Matters, Lone Star Ball, Shea Nation and Twins Killings
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:Mets Acquiring Santana From Twins
Discussion:
SOX & Dawgs, This is a simple game, AaronGleeman.com, New York Yankees etc., Red Sox Monster and Center Field
NY Daily News:
Lawyer: Andy may spill juice on Roger — TERI THOMPSON, NATHANIEL VINTON AND MICHAEL O'KEEFFE IN NEW YORK AND CHRISTIAN RED IN WASHINGTON — When the Congressional committee examining the findings of the Mitchell Report finally does talk to Andy Pettitte, one focus of the deposition …
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New York Times:
Pettitte Will Discuss Clemens, Lawyers Say — WASHINGTON — When Andy Pettitte gives a sworn deposition to staff members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, lawyers for his former personal trainer, Brian McNamee, say they know part of what he will say.
ESPN:
O's, Mariners still dancing around in Bedard talks — Trade talks between the Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners about pitcher Erik Bedard appear to be somewhere between a standstill and a low simmer, with the possibility of some other inquiring parties entering the mix.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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Wallace Matthews / Newsday:
From my lips to Omar's ears? — You're welcome, Omar. You, too, Jeff. — It could be mere coincidence that five days after I tore you guys a new dugout for being as active in the offseason as David Wells after Thanksgiving dinner, you go out and make the one deal that turns the Mets into a bona fide World Series contender.
