A guy can dream, can't he?

by MN exile on Aug 1, 2007 10:57 AM CDT

These were Johan Santana's words Tuesday after the non-waiver trade deadline passed without another trade: "I'm not surprised. That's exactly how they are. That's why we're never going to go beyond where we've gone."

(...)

"It's not just about hope," Santana said. "In a realistic world, you have to really make it happen and go for it.

"You always talk about future, future. ... But if you only worry about the future, then I guess a lot of us won't be part of it," Santana said.

The two-time Cy Young Award winner wasn't smiling.

I'm sure Santana wouldn't come cheap, he's one of the very best, but the notorious cheapness of the Twins is about to bite them badly this coming offseason.

Posted here a number of times, this is my first diary...

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Johan

ought to understand that they didn't make a deal because they are saving every penny they've got to make him an offer.

by Josh Timmers on Aug 1, 2007 10:50 AM CDT reply actions

Either him or Torii.

But there are years when you're contending, and years when you're not. The Twins aren't really contending this year and it would be foolish of them to make a push for it. I guess it's hard to say that when you're one of the guys that still has to go out there and play the games, though.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Aug 1, 2007 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions

Santana and Hunter

They are both possibly gone soon. Granted, the Twins are a smaller market team, and simply don't have the revenue base (nor is it too likely they will even with the new stadium) to pay star players once they emerge. It also leaves them with a very thin bench if someone (Joe Mauer?) gets hurt.

Mauer, btw, I shot an interview with while he was still in HS. Good kid even back then. Love to see him behind the plate in Wrigley, but he's homegrown, so that's not likely under any circumstance - the fan outrage here would be unbelievable.

Yeah, anyway, the Twins aren't going anywhere this year. And I'm still shaking my head over the Garnett thing. At least KG has a chance for a ring now, and no one I'd met in the NBA deserves it more. Here's a little tale from a pregame shootaround interview some years back (no names):

One of the other players had brought his young son (nice kid - I'd estimate 4-6 years old) in, and that was fine, but some of the other players were in another part of the locker room, not visible but within earshot, and they were cussin' it up but good. KG tells them to knock it off "while the little guy is here" - doesn't work. He tells them again, same result. He turns to me, waiting there with my Betacam, ready for the interview CF to form, and tells me to roll on it. They shut up very quickly.

He didn't really have to do that. Yet he did. KG is a class act and even if he's now in Celtic green, I wish him well.

by MN exile on Aug 1, 2007 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions

With Theriot playing well

Maybe instead of making a run at Arod we should lock up Z and go after Johan... could you imagine Z, Johan, Lilly leading our rotaion with Howry Dempster and Marmol in the pen

When in doubt punch Barret in the face

by jds2 on Aug 1, 2007 10:57 AM CDT reply actions

its certainly a pipe dream...

some Cubs contracts when Johan's a FA:

2009 Season

DLee = $13 Million
Aramis = $15.65 Million
Soriano = $16 Million
Lilly = $12 Million
Marquis =$9.875 Million
DeRosa = $5.5 Million

that's $72 Million for 6 guys and that doesn't include Z!

If we sign Z for like 18 million a year, we're looking at $90 Million for 7 guys...

given this organization has still yet to break $100 million in any season, i'm guessing we're not going to be in the market for too many big time superstars unless a radical change in ownership happens with an owner that has EXTREMELY deep pockets

http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2005/01/chicago-cubs_112114177768677294.html

by DartmouthCubsFan on Aug 1, 2007 11:00 AM CDT reply actions

Which they should have

give the fact that Wrigley ALWAYS sells out despite outrageous prices and that the Cubs have one of the best TV deals ever.

Spend some money you bums!

by nickler on Aug 1, 2007 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions

I take those guys

plus Santana and have the rext of the team be the AAA team. I would bet that team would be able to compete.

by NO100 on Aug 1, 2007 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions

payroll

given the current "curve" of our payroll from year to year i'd guess we'd be at about 105-110 million by 2009

so if we have say 72 tied up in those 6 guys and say another 15-18 in zambrano we'd have approximately 15-23 million additional left over for 18 roster spots

unfortunately while we could roster a bunch of AAA guys we cant pay them AAA salaries

since we could guess on average the rest of the AAA bunch would make about 600,000 a year, we're looking at 9-11 additional million in salary

so now we have 1 roster spot left and if our budget is 110 million we'd have 13 million at most left (87 on current 7 players, 10 on AAA squad)

i dont think 13 million annually gets you Santana

which is why i'm saying we'd have to have a drastic change in ownership's view of payroll and/or get rid of some of the current payroll to be able to afford another superstar level talent

by DartmouthCubsFan on Aug 1, 2007 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions

Cuban will buy the Cubs

and we will feature a rotation headed by Big Z and Johan

j/k

AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Aug 1, 2007 12:01 PM CDT reply actions

Agreed...

Santana will only become a Cub through free agency, and then only if:

1) Cuban buys the Cubs

AND

2) The Twins don't deal him before 364 days are pulled from the calendar. (Assuming that he isn't re-signed before then).

I put the odds for the first at about 15%, the second 3%.

PERRY!!!!

by Goat Whisperer on Aug 1, 2007 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions

I'd file Santana to the Cubs in...

...the "(would be) too good to be true" folder. It just doesn't seem possible.

Plus, the Cubs already have their rock star starter in Big Z. Resign the big lummox and gimme more low-key grinders like Lilly and Marshall and I'm perfectly happy.

Brew Crew: We are coming for you. (And we mean it this time.)

by daver on Aug 1, 2007 12:02 PM CDT reply actions

When would someone buy the cubs

Whoever decides to buy the cubs, when will they d the deal? Are they waiting until the season is over?

by BMac on Aug 1, 2007 12:36 PM CDT reply actions

Who would you rather?

Who would you rather have @ the start of the 2009 season? A-Rod or Johan? Take your pick. I'd take Johan. Pitching is king.

The deadline has come and gone. Looks like our Triple A Hall O Famers will have to lead us to the promise land.

by cubbyblue137 on Aug 1, 2007 12:58 PM CDT reply actions

absolutely

and A-Rod chokes in the playoffs and "slaps balls".

by nickler on Aug 1, 2007 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions

ugh..

http://www.tsl.pomona.edu/index.php?page=sports&article=1375&issue=49

by DartmouthCubsFan on Aug 1, 2007 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Pomona

Why did you pull this article from the Pomona paper? Are you an alum?

CMC '01 here. Long live the Stags!

Aramis Ramirez = Captain Comeback!

by 26.2cubfan on Aug 1, 2007 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions

nope sorry

just did a quick google search on "clutchness" and arod

first thing that came up

i read through it pretty quickly, saw it made all the same points i had seen time and time again about Arod's poor performances in the postseason being overemphasized

by DartmouthCubsFan on Aug 1, 2007 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions

ARod...

I don't want to get into the habit of promoting other sites on another person's blog, but go to FireJoeMorgan.com, do a search for "clutch", and you'll be in the middle of a scathing hit piece on all who make the claim that ARod's a choker. Plus the entire site is hilarious and smart.

PERRY!!!!

by Goat Whisperer on Aug 1, 2007 6:12 PM CDT up reply actions

I'd love Johan.

But I'll bet it'd cost as much as Z. I don't think ANY team could afford both, except maybe the Yankees.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Aug 1, 2007 2:02 PM CDT reply actions

i'd bet heavily

it would cost more

Johan's had better numbers pitching in the superior league and isn't giving any sort of hometown discount

by DartmouthCubsFan on Aug 1, 2007 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Wowsa!! Backloading indeed...

Heard about Hendry "backloading'' some of his big contract but never saw the details before..this is a long-term worry they prob. can't hold onto all those guys (and Z) in '09 I could see D-Lee or Marquis or somebody, possibly, being traded.

As much as we like Lee and he's heart of team finding a power-hitting first baseman not all that hard...maybe the Cub system will produce one what a concept (it's been a while--Ernie Banks?).

by writerinwrigley on Aug 1, 2007 2:06 PM CDT reply actions