Stark on Santana

ESPN's Jayson Stark is reporting that the Twins may wait until Spring Training for the right package in a Johan Santana trade. He also mentions that it's possible that he and his agents will refuse to waive the no-trade clause if a deal isn't completed sooner.

Stark says that the Yankees' last offer was Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera, Jeff Marquez and an unnamed fourth prospect who was never agreed on. That offer is off the table unless Hank Steinbrenner brings the Yankees back into discussions.

He says that the Red Sox haven't improved their offer of Jon Lester, Coco Crisp and prospects Justin Masterson and Jed Lowrie. He quotes a source who says that the Twins want the Mets, who still seem to be involved, to "rip up their whole farm system" for Santana, which is something I highly doubt they'll do.

The longer this drags on, the less inclined I am to pull the trigger on any deal for Santana. I'm willing to go to battle with the pitchers the Yankees have now, especially if Joba Chamberlain begins the season in the bullpen, as it is beginning to look like. The Yankees would have their starting rotation complete and the bullpen would be better fortified with Chamberlain in the mix early on. I'm starting to believe that Santana will at least begin the season with the Twins.