SHOOTER CHARLEY WALTERS
A little birdie says the Boston Red Sox have become the favorite in the Johan Santana trade sweepstakes.
The Twins would receive four players for the Twins' two-time Cy Young Award winner, including center fielder Coco Crisp, 28.
Others would be shortstop prospect Jed Lowry, 23; left-handed pitcher Jon Lester, 23; and right-handed pitcher Justin Masterson, 22.
Before a deal could be made, the Red Sox would have to have time to negotiate a contract extension with Santana, 28, who can become a free agent after next season and could have a market value as high as $150 million over six years.
Lowry did not play in the major leagues this year but is considered ready and is a good-fielding shortstop who also can hit. Lowry had a slugging percentage of .500 at Class AA and Class AAA this year.
Lester made a comeback from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma a year ago and is said to be cancer-free.
Masterson, 6 feet 6, 245 pounds, had 59 strikeouts in 58 innings at Class AA Portland.
The New York Yankees don't have the prospects available who the Twins figure have a reasonable chance to play in the major leagues by the end of 2008.
Quarterback Brett Favre, who leads the 10-1 Green Bay Packers against the 10-1 Cowboys tonight in Dallas, is the NFL's most valuable player so far this season, according to Vikings place-kicker Ryan Longwell.
"I feel the most valuable player is the guy who helps his team the most," said Longwell, who played nine seasons in Green Bay with Favre, who won MVP awards in 1995 and '96.
"That's not to take anything away from what (quarterback Tom) Brady is doing with the Patriots. But I think Brett turns the Packers into a team that can compete for a Super Bowl. They have good players, but he's definitely the cog who makes that team go."
The trade Wednesday that brought Delmon Young, Brendan Harris and Jason Pridie from Tampa Bay to the Twins in exchange for Matt Garza, Jason Bartlett and Eduarado Morlan would seem to benefit both clubs.
Young, the first player chosen in the 2003 major league draft, is enormously talented and knows it. He played in every game for the Rays last season as a 21-year-old. The big question is whether he'll learn to manage his strike zone, which for him is from his nose to his toes.
An even bigger concern is his disposition. Young has a reputation for being a toothache, and it will be interesting to see how long manager Ron Gardenhire's patience holds up if Young's attitude becomes a problem.
New Twins general manager Billy Smith said the club did lots of homework on Young and that he has no concerns. Young says he has matured. Young, who bats and throws right-handed, has a tremendous throwing arm and is a true right fielder. He wouldn't play right field for the Twins, however. That position belongs to Michael Cuddyer.
As part of the deal, the Twins lost Bartlett, an above-average shortstop. But that makes sense for the Rays, who are desperate for pitching and defense.
There was speculation the trade was held up because Tampa Bay required medical clearance on the alleged tender right arm of Twins reliever Juan Rincon. Smith said there are no concerns about Rincon's arm but declined to say whether Rincon was discussed as part of the deal.
It's unclear who will replace Bartlett at shortstop. Harris played that position for most of last season for the Rays, but he's said to be more a second baseman or third baseman. Harris said he has no preference in the infield.
Some people believe Nick Punto will be the Twins' regular second baseman with Alexi Casilla at shortstop and Harris at third.
Twins free-agent pitcher Carlos Silva, who is seeking $40 million for four years, is rumored to be considering offers from the Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and Kansas City Royals. Believe it or not, he's expected to receive close to his asking price.
Robb Quinlan of St. Paul, a utility player for the Los Angeles Angels, was surprised when the Angels signed former Twins outfielder Torii Hunter last week.
"Very surprised; I had no idea," Quinlan said. "It was Thanksgiving morning, and I'm just rolling out of bed and my family's calling, other people are calling. The phone's ringing off the hook, and I'm thinking, 'What's going on?'
"All of a sudden, I'm hearing, 'Torii Hunter, Torii Hunter, Torii Hunter signed with the Angels,' and I'm saying, 'C'mon, I know you guys are joking.' "
Quinlan, naturally, is excited about the acquisition.
"What a great pickup for us," he said. "We won 95 games last season without Torii Hunter, and we got (pitcher) Jon Garland from the White Sox, too. And, honestly, I don't think we're done. I think we're going to make a good run at Miguel Cabrera from the Marlins or Miguel Tejada from the Orioles. This is definitely a good offseason for the Angels."
DON'T PRINT THAT
Twins free-agent pitcher Carlos Silva is getting married this weekend in Venezuela. Teammate Johan Santana, who is expected to be traded by the Twins soon, will be in Silva's wedding party.
A primary reason for baseball's willingness to pay huge salaries to players is the per-club revenue that could reach $25 million from its online media properties. Major League Baseball never has had more cash available, and team owners continue to overpay for players. The Twins are expected to enjoy a $20 million share this year in revenue sharing.
Vikings place-kicker Ryan Longwell, a former Packer, on tonight's big Green Bay-Dallas game: "We've played them both; the Packers were very impressive both times. If (Packers cornerbacks) Charles Woodson and Al Harris are both healthy, they have two shutdown corners and the advantage. If Woodson's not healthy, Dallas can expose them a little bit. I think (Cowboys QB) Tony Romo is going to throw it all over the place, and I think (Packers QB) Brett Favre's going to throw it all over the place. It could be a track meet."