Twins agree to deal Santana to Mets for 4 prospects

By Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY

The Mets, ridiculed in New York for inactivity since their season-ending collapse late-season collapse last season, won the biggest prize of the winter, reaching an agreement to acquire two-time Cy Young winner Johan Santana from the Minnesota Twins.

The deal, agreed to Tuesday morning according to two high-ranking Twins officials involved in the trade talks and a Mets official, is contingent on Santana waiving his no-trade clause. The Mets have been granted a 72-hour window that will expire at 5 p.m. ET Friday to work out a contract extension with Santana.

ANALYSIS: Santana moves Mets to forefront of NL East

Santana, eligible for free agency after the season, is in position to become is seeking to become the highest-paid pitcher in baseball history, surpassing San Francisco Giants starter Barry Zito's seven-year, $126 million deal. Peter Greenberg, Santana's agent who has a strong working relationship with New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya, declined comment on Santana's salary request.

The Twins stand to receive outfielder Carlos Gomez and minor-league pitchers Phil Humber, Deolis Guerra and Kevin Mulvey. Gomez, 22, who hit .232 last season, is expected to replace center fielder Torii Hunter, the Twins' seven-time Gold Glove winner who signed a five-year, $90 million contract in November with the Los Angeles Angels.

"I hate to hear that," Hunter said, when told of the trade. "I mean, I'm happy for Johan, but he meant so much for that organization. I'm sad for the Twins' organization and all of the fans out there. They loved Johan. This is going to be tough for them to swallow."

The Twins offered Santana a four-year, $80 million extension two months ago, but he rejected the offer.

The Mets, barring a breakdown in contract negotiations, now inherit the most dominant pitcher in baseball since 2003. Santana is 82-35 with a 2.92 ERA, including 1,152 strikeouts the last five years.

"The Mets are not only getting a Cy Young winner," Hunter said, "but an absolute bulldog who's great in the clubhouse. He's going to dominate that league. They're going to absolutely love him in New York."

"I know he's happy, too, because he really wanted to go to the Mets. He's always wanted to swing the wood. He can hit.

"So I don't know who's happier, Johan, the Mets, or everyone in the American League because they don't have to face him anymore."

The Twins, who had trade talks over the last two months with the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners and the Mets, told teams they wanted a final offer by Monday.

The Red Sox's final offer included starter Jon Lester and center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury in separate packages but was scaled back from initial proposals, including lesser prospects, according to a high-ranking Red Sox official.

Contributing: Paul White, The Associated Press