Mitch Hilligoss

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 7:50pm: Tim Brown says the Red Sox had a moment of doubt, but they remain the frontrunner for Santana.  The previously mentioned packages apply.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 6:21pm: LENIII checks in on the interest level of the six teams involved.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 5:05pm: Santana’s agent, Peter Greenberg, indicated that the Mets are in the running for Santana.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 2:48pm: BP’s John Perrotto talked to a Twins official, and it definitely looks like the Meetings will end without a Johan deal.  Perrotto says he’s still likely to be dealt before Spring Training.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 2:18pm: Ken Rosenthal believes the door is open for more teams to jump in, especially the Mariners.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 12:43pm: Jon Heyman reports that the Mets are trying to work their way back into the mix.  They’re still viewed as a longshot without Jose Reyes in the offer, but at least the Twins are listening.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 12:21pm: The Red Sox and Twins are still engaged in talks.  The Sox are still considering the Yankees a factor.  And no, Ellsbury signing on with Boras doesn’t change the Twins’ opinion of him.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 11:26am: Joel Sherman describes Boston’s two goals in the Santana Sweepstakes.  He wonders whether the Sox and Twins could reach an accord on players and then the Red Sox wouldn’t be able to agree with Santana on an extension.  Meanwhile Gammons himself reiterates that he senses the Twins will hold onto Santana.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 10:54am: Peter Gammons via Amy Nelson is saying Santana may not be traded.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 9:56am: According to Keith Law via MetsBlog, the Twins have reached out to the Mets, Dodgers, and Angels to revisit Santana talks.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 9:43am: Joel Sherman agrees with Bill Madden’s take below – part of the reason the Yankees pulled out is that even they have a payroll.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 8:30am: The Yankees could’ve had Santana for Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera, Jeff Marquez, and Mitch Hilligoss.  Brian Cashman, however, never wanted to sacrifice Hughes for Santana and convinced his bosses that the Yankees couldn’t afford him now that Andy Pettitte is in the fold.  This near-trade won’t be forgotten by Yankees fans, unless Hughes takes off in ’08.

FROM 12-5-07 at 12:55am:

Time for a fresh Johan thread.  Yesterday’s had 297 comments on it.

The Boston Herald’s Rob Bradford says the Red Sox told Ryan Kalish’s agent that his name has never come up in the Santana talks with Minnesota.  Peter Gammons had said the 19 year-old outfielder was added to the deal to make it a 5-for-1 around 3pm yesterday.