Having the money and wanting to spend it are two different things. Most owners look at their teams as an investment and want a return. The Yankees aren't one of them. Not to mention it would put either over the cap significantly. Add on the luxury tax to that and you are talking about a huge increase which forces you to nearly double your ticket prices.
They don't really need Arod either unless they can't sign Lowell. While they don't need Santana they don't want the Yankees to get him either so they might get involved.
Yeah, but the Mets are building a new stadium. ARod would be a centerpiece the day it opened. Couple in Santana pitching the first game in the new house, and you've got an instant sell-out the day tix go on sale. For the Sox, as devil said, Santana is a luxury, but why not? Two legit Cy Young pitchers back to back, along with Matsuzaka's stuff, followed by Wakefield's knuckler, and then one of a number of guys who could be at least a quality 3 elsewhere as the rotation's anchor. Put Alex in that lineup, and I will go on record right here, right now, and say they win 130+, on their way to yet another World Series title. Don't forget that both teams also have regional networks now too, so there's a lot of revenue to be made from advertising sales. Plus, as devil's pointed out a few times already, there's significant money due to come off their books over the next two seasons.
I think I said that wrong. What I read is that nobody would trade for him without signing him to an extension. However, here is a link that pretty much said what I did earlier. http://www.metsblog.com/2007/10/03/buzz-johan-santana-no-trade-clause/ "However, Santana recently told the Star-Tribune that he will waive his no-trade clause assuming he is appropriately compensated and is traded to a team with a legitimate chance of winning a World Series." Here's another. http://www.startribune.com/twins/story/1458559.html "As long as it makes sense," Santana said. " It's going to take for my agent and us to figure things out and make sure what is best for us." Santana likely would reject a deal to any non-contender. And the Twins might need to be prepared to buy out the no-trade clause, which kicked in last year after Santana won his second Cy Young. I'm sure there are others too. I guess both are true.
The Mets are already selling out. They sold 3.8 million tickets last year. They are guaranteed a sellout in a new stadium with or without Arod or Santana.
But the combination of both players instantly makes them worlds better than anyone else in the NL. Plus, as I said, they have a regional network. Don't discount the potential windfall of cash from advertising on SNY if the Mets have two of the biggest names in the sport on the roster. And more tickets can always be sold.
Now that sounds like Boras. The Yankees don't feel Arod added anything to YES and most people in that business agree with them. Teams with their own cable channels don't think a player can impact it one way or the other. YES is worth 3 billion dollars with or without Arod.
Someone will wrap up Santana loong before he ever hits free agency. I'd be shocked if he actually went to market....no way they let that happend without getting something for him.
Aside from the "appropriately compensated" part (which really doesn't make much sense, he's under the same contract for next year no matter where he plays) I don't read anything there that suggests Santana would automatically extend with the team that acquires him. Sounds like he's going to make his decision to waive the no-trade based only on whether or not it puts him in a good position for NEXT season, and next season only. I don't see how it's to Santana's advantage to limit himself contract-wise to negotiate with just the one team that acquired him, unless they absolutely blow him out of the water with an offer. With the money being thrown around lately it makes little sense for him not to enter the FA market next year. It's why I'm terrified of giving up a piece like Reyes for him this offseason.
What he is saying is he won't accept a trade without an extension. He also will pick the team. Otherwise he will wait for free agency. It's pretty clear. You wouldn't give up Reyes for one season. That's the second part of it where I said nobody would trade for him either without getting him to sign an extension. It's a two way street with Santana. Now in July, at the trading deadline, someone might give up something when it would be much cheaper then it is now and hope for the best. The Twins just won't get as much then.
