I hope you are right, Rich, about Duaner Sanchez.

This patience that the Twins, Mets, and Santana all seem to have is driving me crazy, but it is probably a sound strategy for all three. For the Twins, they have ratcheted up the pressure on the Mets, who need this kid, gradually improving and sifting through multiple Mets’ packages…and Santana is driving the eventual contract numbers up and probably wind up with a six-year $125 million deal (or five and an option year)…and the Mets have watched the two other major main Santana pretenders move to the sideline, cause the yanks and Sox main motivation was avoiding that their main AL EAST rival obtain Santana. They seem to both be willing to stay clear as long as Santana is going to the other league. So the mets are in a power position now, as the buyers with the clout.

I say pay heavy and get this guy, and we are back to real contention again. I mean, 2008 could be finally our third championship!

What do you think of Heilman, Church and Pelfry OR Humber for Santana? Gives the Twins 2 major league players, plus Heilman is miserable in his set up role anyway. And I think he’s a FA after this season. I’m confident that Sanchez can take that spot, and in this scenario, we keep our two OF prospects, for when Alou gets hurt on April 15th and returns August 1. We can get a RF somewhere and let Gomez and F-Mart grow in AAA.

I see your point. But, if Pelfry is traded, we can do better than Livan as a number 5. They say he is 32. Do you really think so? If he’s 32, I’m the Easter Bunny. I’d rather fill the #5 with Humber, or even Mulvey or Guerra, if either is ready. Like John says, what good is an “innings eater” if he eats innings to a 5 ERA? Let’s go with someone with some upside, not guys who are consistently declining. It just does not send a good message.

At least the Livan deal does not cost us players, and it gives the manager more options, and injury-insurance. If Livan can come in and do what he usually does — win 11 or 12 games and pitch over 200 innings — working out of the fifth hole of the rotation, you’ve gotta like this deal.

I must admit, I don’t really like him much as a pitcher, mostly cause the Mets seem to always light him up, so we have frequently seen him not at his best.