Yankees giving up on Santana?

Hank Steinbrenner spoke again about Johan Santana today. He now feels that the Yankees may not pursue Santana anymore.

From the New York Daily News' Peter Botte:

"We went into this with me making the final baseball decisions and Hal more addressing the financial aspects of the company, but we both do everything," Steinbrenner said yesterday in a phone interview. "We're equal partners, but at this point, to tell you the truth, I'm leaning away from it anyway, so it doesn't matter. Same thing with Brian, he's another integral part of it, obviously, being the general manager, and one day he's leaning to do it and the next day he's not sure.

"But what it comes down to right now is giving up a lot (in a trade) and then having to do the big contract, as well. If (Santana) was just a free agent, we could just go ahead and do it. There's a big difference this way. We have to sign him as if he's a free agent, plus you have to give up major talent. That's a tall order."

Steinbrenner says that he is feeling comfortable with what the Yankees have. This is good news. Yesterday, he said that he would only give Santana a five-year extension, and today, he further softened his stance.

He also says that he would like Joba Chamberlain to be a starter, but that decision shouldn't rest with him. I feel he'll begin the season in the bullpen to limit his innings and then return to the rotation eventually.