Red Sox, Twins working on Santana terms

By JIMMY GOLEN, AP Sports WriterDecember 4, 2007
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- The best team in baseball is getting closer to acquiring the best pitcher on the market.
The World Series champion Red Sox are working on a deal to acquire two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana from Minnesota for a package that could include left-hander Jon Lester or outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury. Twins general manager Bill Smith wouldn't discuss the talks. Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein has also declined to comment on Santana, saying generally that "a lot of the rumors out there are just that."
"It takes two teams to make a trade," he told Boston-area reporters. "I know there's a lot of speculation that we're close to something big. Until we reach an agreement, then we're not that close."
If the teams agree to the players, the Red Sox would try to work out a contract extension with Santana, a 28-year-old lefty who is eligible for free agency after the 2008 season.
"We have no payroll constraints. Our issues aren't payroll right now," Twins general manager Bill Smith said. "Some of it is more length. Length of contract is an issue. Some things around groundbreaking issues. I'd just as soon leave it at that."
The New York Yankees had also been pursuing Santana before setting a Monday night deadline and pulling out of the negotiations.
Probably.