Top questions before Opening Day
Posted: Saturday, January 12, 2008 12:46 PM
Will Johan Santana be dealt?
No guarantees, but I can’t fathom Santana again wearing a Twins uniform. Minnesota's new general manager Bill Smith inherits a horrid dilemma, but keeping Santana for the draft picks would help the Twins in 2008 but harm them for 2010 when they open their new ballpark. The longer this goes, the more I wonder about the Mets, who have the deepest need and convenient landing spot to get Santana out of the American League.
How will the Mets better arm themselves?
It is hard to fathom the Mets going into the season as presently built. If they don’t have the package to land Santana, general manager Omar Minaya has to fill rotation holes from the Livan Hernandez/Jon Lieber category. Not the way to inspire faith from the ticket holders after a horrid September collapse. Look for Minaya to be bold, very bold.
Will the Yankees stick with their new direction?
The Steinbrenner sons talk about loving their prospects and reining in spending. If they pass on Santana, then their actions will match their words. And we will know there is truly a new Steinbrenner era dawning in the Bronx.
What will be the domino effect once Santana's status is resolved?
Many players and teams seem to be on hold awaiting the Santana decision. Once that happens, the losers in the Santana chase turn elsewhere. And Baltimore, already fielding calls form Seattle, can truly shop Erik Bedard. And the next tier of free agents, led by Kyle Lohse, Jeff Weaver, Hernandez, Josh Fogg, and Lieber may thrive from the desperation of others.
Where will name free agents make their next stop?
Kenny Lofton, Shannon Stewart, Corey Patterson, and Luis Gonzalez are still looking for work. The Braves still need a center fielder to complete their lineup.
Will there be at least one more substantial trade?
It could be Oakland general manager Billy Beane dealing Joe Blanton and/or Huston Street or the White Sox continuing their aggressive offseason by moving Paul Konerko before he reaches 10-and-5 status in May.
Will Barry Bonds play in 2008?
While Beane dismantles and rebuilds, the sense grows and gnaws away that the A’s might give Bonds his wish to play at least one more year. The baseball aspect of such a move makes sense (Bonds can DH) and the business aspect makes some sense (Bonds sells tickets as disgruntled Giants fans watch their displaced hero), but the overall statement would leave the A’s guilty of what they have accused the Giants of practicing: style over substance, sideshow over sound baseball. As tempting as it may be, I will be surprised the A’s make that move.
