John Shea-San Francisco Chronicle
Most Giants front-office officials arrived here Sunday night, on the eve of the first day of the winter meetings. The A's contingent is coming later today. After all, the A's appear to be in no hurry to unload their starting pitchers.
"Obviously, we're in a good position," Oakland assistant general manager David Forst said. "We don't have to make a move. We don't have to be put on someone else's timetable."
Things are a lot more fast-paced on the Johan Santana watch. The Twins could move their left-hander in the next day or two, and they're playing the Red Sox and Yankees against each other for the highest bid.
Until a deal is consummated - along with a contract extension for Santana, who can be a free agent next winter - the A's will be in a holding pattern. But the moment Santana is dealt, the runner-up in the bidding and all other clubs hoping to add a proven starter will be knocking on the door of the A's suite at the grossly oversized Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.
Dan Haren and Joe Blanton are considered trade bait in Oakland's quest to (a) fill other holes in an effort to win next year or (b) fill other holes in an effort to win down the road. The magnitude of the offers the A's receive could determine how they'll strategically approach 2008.
There's more urgency with the Red Sox and Yankees, and isn't there always? The Red Sox won the World Series but are trying to trade for and sign Santana, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, for two reasons: Because they don't want him in Yankees' hands. And because they can.
The Yankees slapped a deadline on Santana talks, senior VP Hank Steinbrenner saying Sunday that if the Twins don't accept the Yankees' proposal - pitcher Phil Hughes, center fielder Melky Cabrera and a minor-leaguer - by today, it'll be taken off the table. "It's not a bluff," Steinbrenner said .Though the Yankees have refused to include pitcher Joba Chamberlain in any offer, the Red Sox reportedly are considering upping the ante by including outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury in a four-player package. If Ellsbury's involved, pitcher Jon Lester wouldn't be. If Lester is involved, no Ellsbury.
The team that acquires Santana, whose career record is 93-44 with a 3.22 ERA, would have a 72-hour window to extend his contract. Other teams wouldn't wait for an extension to be arranged before pushing A's GM Billy Beane for Haren or Blanton.
In either case, the Twins will be less of a team without Santana and Torii Hunter, now a very rich Angel. If Santana goes, it's possible the Twins could dump other contracts, including Joe Nathan's. The All-Star closer, like Santana, can be a free agent after next season.
"There's a lot of hype and talk," Nathan said as he checked into the hotel Sunday night. "Obviously, if you're trading a player of Johan's caliber, you hope your team will get back at least two or three guys who can help you next year. But right now, I expect Johan will be our No. 1 starter in '08."
He might be the only one.
Nathan, who attended Sunday's Texans-Titans game, lives two hours away in Knoxville and said he's here to visit with his agents and hang out with Giants personnel. He said he's not here to push the Twins for an extension, but he did smile when acknowledging his old team in San Francisco needs a closer.
"I read that. I heard the Brewers do as well," said Nathan, who became a Twin in November 2003 in the trade that landed the Giants catcher A.J. Pierzynski.
The Giants need far more than a closer. They need lots more offense, and GM Brian Sabean is focused, among other things, on finding a third baseman. He did tender arbitration to free agent Pedro Feliz on Saturday, meaning the Giants would receive a draft pick if he signs elsewhere. It also means they're still willing to take on Feliz for another year or two, but not three.
Sabean didn't offer arbitration to Barry Bonds or Ryan Klesko. If Bonds were offered arbitration, he could accept it, in effect becoming a signed player and cashing in with a huge contract.
The A's offered arbitration to Shannon Stewart and Mike Piazza - who seems willing to play another year - if only to receive draft picks as compensation.
Sabean said he expects a lot of trade activity over the next four days. "I hope so," he said, "if everyone can find their way back and forth through the lobby."
Most Giants front-office officials arrived here Sunday night, on the eve of the first day of the winter meetings. The A's contingent is coming later today. After all, the A's appear to be in no hurry to unload their starting pitchers.
"Obviously, we're in a good position," Oakland assistant general manager David Forst said. "We don't have to make a move. We don't have to be put on someone else's timetable."
Things are a lot more fast-paced on the Johan Santana watch. The Twins could move their left-hander in the next day or two, and they're playing the Red Sox and Yankees against each other for the highest bid.
Until a deal is consummated - along with a contract extension for Santana, who can be a free agent next winter - the A's will be in a holding pattern. But the moment Santana is dealt, the runner-up in the bidding and all other clubs hoping to add a proven starter will be knocking on the door of the A's suite at the grossly oversized Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.
Dan Haren and Joe Blanton are considered trade bait in Oakland's quest to (a) fill other holes in an effort to win next year or (b) fill other holes in an effort to win down the road. The magnitude of the offers the A's receive could determine how they'll strategically approach 2008.
There's more urgency with the Red Sox and Yankees, and isn't there always? The Red Sox won the World Series but are trying to trade for and sign Santana, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, for two reasons: Because they don't want him in Yankees' hands. And because they can.
The Yankees slapped a deadline on Santana talks, senior VP Hank Steinbrenner saying Sunday that if the Twins don't accept the Yankees' proposal - pitcher Phil Hughes, center fielder Melky Cabrera and a minor-leaguer - by today, it'll be taken off the table. "It's not a bluff," Steinbrenner said .Though the Yankees have refused to include pitcher Joba Chamberlain in any offer, the Red Sox reportedly are considering upping the ante by including outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury in a four-player package. If Ellsbury's involved, pitcher Jon Lester wouldn't be. If Lester is involved, no Ellsbury.
The team that acquires Santana, whose career record is 93-44 with a 3.22 ERA, would have a 72-hour window to extend his contract. Other teams wouldn't wait for an extension to be arranged before pushing A's GM Billy Beane for Haren or Blanton.
In either case, the Twins will be less of a team without Santana and Torii Hunter, now a very rich Angel. If Santana goes, it's possible the Twins could dump other contracts, including Joe Nathan's. The All-Star closer, like Santana, can be a free agent after next season.
"There's a lot of hype and talk," Nathan said as he checked into the hotel Sunday night. "Obviously, if you're trading a player of Johan's caliber, you hope your team will get back at least two or three guys who can help you next year. But right now, I expect Johan will be our No. 1 starter in '08."
He might be the only one.
Nathan, who attended Sunday's Texans-Titans game, lives two hours away in Knoxville and said he's here to visit with his agents and hang out with Giants personnel. He said he's not here to push the Twins for an extension, but he did smile when acknowledging his old team in San Francisco needs a closer.
"I read that. I heard the Brewers do as well," said Nathan, who became a Twin in November 2003 in the trade that landed the Giants catcher A.J. Pierzynski.
The Giants need far more than a closer. They need lots more offense, and GM Brian Sabean is focused, among other things, on finding a third baseman. He did tender arbitration to free agent Pedro Feliz on Saturday, meaning the Giants would receive a draft pick if he signs elsewhere. It also means they're still willing to take on Feliz for another year or two, but not three.
Sabean didn't offer arbitration to Barry Bonds or Ryan Klesko. If Bonds were offered arbitration, he could accept it, in effect becoming a signed player and cashing in with a huge contract.
The A's offered arbitration to Shannon Stewart and Mike Piazza - who seems willing to play another year - if only to receive draft picks as compensation.
Sabean said he expects a lot of trade activity over the next four days. "I hope so," he said, "if everyone can find their way back and forth through the lobby."
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