It is very interesting and exciting that the Mets and the Red Sox both want Twins SP Johan Santana and are willing to pay up.  Apparently, the Sox are still the favorites in the Santana race.  But, there's no doubt about the fact that the Mets NEED Santana and that they desperately want him.  The problem is they just dont have enough to get the all-star.

SOX: If the Red Sox were to get Santana it would make them amazing and one of the greatest teams on paper ever...but ultimately is it worth it?  This question has to be raised.  You might be saying, well who the heck would be stupid enough not to want the best pitcher in baseball?  But look @ it this way.  The Sox would have to sign Santana for a ton of $.  Combine that with a future raise for Beckett and the Sox top 2 starters alone would take up a ton of payroll.  Then you look even further down the future and what do you see?  Even if you take out the 2 possible players dealt in the deal (Ellsbury, Lester) the Sox will still have to empty out their pocket for plenty of players in the future...a list that could include Pedroia, YOOOUK, Papelbon, Okajima and Buchholz?  I know the Sox have a ton of $, but can they afford ALL of this to keep this team together.  Yes, I'd love to have Santana, BUT it may be just as good in the long run to hold on to Ellsbury and Lester and continue building upon this potential dynasty.  I am not in favor of giving up any one of these prospects, let alone the other 3 that could potentially be included.  Ellsbury will be a great CF and I rather him stay then Lester, but Lester should be a great pitcher in the future.  So, it's tough.  Plus, I wouldn't mind seeing the Yanks give up Hughes in a package as well as other young talented players.  You let all this young talent build up in New York, and pretty soon these players can amount to a hell of a team.  Worst case situation is Twins hold on to him all year and it becomes a bidding war.  The Yanks could definitely outbid the Sox in this case and they'd lose nothing, besides a huge sum of dough.

Mets: In the Mets case, I just believe they don't have enough.  After the terrible Milledge trade, it's hard to also give up Gomez.  But they must to even have a shot to get the deal done.  I am a lot more willing to make this deal from the Mets point of view, because their farm system stinks AND they need an ace desperately.  If the Mets have to part with Heilman, Gomez, and/or Pelfrey or other prospects fine.  Get Santana any way you can Omar!  I just don't think the Twins will be stupid enough to accept this.  And, there is no way in hell I want to give up Reyes in a deal for Santana.  There are way too many Reyes haters out there and its ridiculous.  Reyes is special and the spark of this team.  He can't be traded for anything. If you are the Mets you hope the Twins keep him if you can't get him now.  If the Mets waited to next off-season, I think with all the pressure from the media and the fans, they'd definitely be able to outbid the Skanks for Santana's services. 

Where will Santana end up?  I truly have no idea, but a trip to the Bronx would make the Yanks just as good as the Sox on paper, or close to it.  A trip to Queens could make the Mets the best team in the NL again.  A trip to Fenway would again plain and simple make the Sox once again the best team in baseball.  Nothing is imminent, but I hope he finds a way onto one of these 2 teams...

Here is much more from the Santana rumor mill:

Santana seeing Boston, Mets Watching (MetsBlog)

As The Santana Turns (latest edition 12/5) (Sox & Dawgs)

Ellsbury Key To Santana (Star-Tribune)