So the Red Sox are in the running for the Twins' lefty, Johan Santana, arguably the best pitcher in baseball.
That's good. They're also thinking of giving up Jacoby Ellsbury in exchange. That stinks. Trading away a dynamic young centerfielder with speed to burn, a good bat, and who's already proven himself in October for a 29-year old hurler who may have already peaked is NOT a good trade. Ellsbury is not a could-be, not a prospect; he has arrived. I know what Theo Epstein is thinking, " Well, I've got Beckett and Dice-K and Papelbon, but I've also got three 41-year olds on the staff, plus a lot of little kids. I need to balance it out with a middle-aged (in baseball terms) guy."  The reality is that the best trade would be Coco Crisp, Jon Lester OR Clay Bucholtz (but not both)
and prospects for Santana, with the Sox then giving Santana a contract extension in the $150 million range.

            But Ellsbury?  That's giving away too much, and it's unnecessary since the Yankees and Angels both withdrew their own offers, leaving the Sox as the only suitors for Santana. If the Twins insist on getting Ellsbury in return, Epstein could offer them Crisp instead, the Twins could protest, followed by Theo saying something like, "OK,
and your other options ARE???"  Five years ago, I would have said, " Ok, we haven't won a World Series since 1918, give the Twins what they want, we HAVE to make that trade." But now, after two titles in four years, that urgency just isn't there anymore. Let someone else sell the farm for Santana. 


            By the way, major props to the Detroit Tigers for the Miguel Cabrera-Dontrelle Willis trade. Besides those two, they've now got Edgar Renteria, Sheffield, Bonderman, Leyland, etc, etc. It's an extremely likable
team.

 

            Those of you of a certain age will remember this great ad from Miller High Life. Every year, I seem to have a more difficult time getting into the Christmas spirit for some reason, but this commercial always gets me there. I hope it does the same for you!  Happy Holidays.