- Not only will Twins fans disappointed, but I can already see the conspiracy theories from Yankees fans if the Red Sox get Johan Santana from the Twins for Jon Lester, Coco Crisp, Jed Lowrie and Justin Masterson or Michael Bowden. While it puts me in the minority, I think that’s about what Santana is worth given that the contract extension he’s sure to demand. But whether the deal is fair or not, it sure seems as though the Twins are asking for a lot more from the Yankees and Dodgers. Maybe they see Lester as Matt Garza’s equal and Lowrie as a legitimate shortstop. I don’t. I’d take that over an Ian Kennedy-Melky Cabrera-Austin Jackson package from the Yankees, but if Phil Hughes is subbed in for Kennedy, that’d trump Boston’s current offer. I think the Twins should be holding out for Clay Buchholz over Lester if Jacoby Ellsbury isn’t going to be involved.

- This perceived slight difference between Dan Haren and Joe Blanton that the media keeps throwing out there needs to stop. With his contract, Haren ranks among the top 20 or 30 properties in baseball. Blanton is pretty valuable as well, but Haren has been the significantly better pitcher two years running and he has a far better strikeout rate, suggesting that easily he’s the superior bet for future success. Also, while both are under control for three years, Haren is locked in at $16.25 million, with Blanton is due at least $20 million and probably closer to $25 million in arbitration if he stays at his current level.

- I had Haren going to the Mets in my trade proposals column last week, but in light of recent revelations regarding Oakland’s feelings about Lastings Milledge and Aaron Heilman, I think that’s pretty unlikely now. The Mets have a much better chance of landing Blanton.

- If the Twins are going to give up on 2008, then Joe Nathan will follow Johan Santana out the door. Michael Cuddyer has to be considered another candidate to go since he’s due about $6 million next year and is two years away from free agency. Cuddyer to San Diego for third baseman Chase Headley would make plenty of sense for both teams. The market for Nathan may not be as strong as expected unless some large-market teams are willing to pursue him as a setup man. Think about a Nathan/Rivera or Nathan/Papelbon one-two punch. The Brewers have made it pretty clear that they’re not going to part with a top talent and then lose Nathan after a year like they did Francisco Cordero. At 33, Nathan is older than most realize. Still, if he turns in another strong year, he’s going to receive at least four years and $52 million next winter.