Johan oh Johan Where Will You Be

Rumors are out there that the Yankees and Red Sox are both lowering there offer to the Twins and the front runner if they had to handicap it right now would be the New York Mets. The rumors did not say who Yankees pulled out of trade but I doubt Hughes is that guy.

Currently the Mets will not part with there 19 year old OF prospect Fernando Martinez (if name is wrong who cares he is a Met) as part of a 5 player prospect filled package to get Santana. I must say I am not a Met fan and could care less what they do, but the Twins are trying to get every top prospect from them, if they will not put Reyes in trade. They pull this trade off and trade all 5 prospects there farm system is done for years to come. We all say who cares not all prospects will make it, but the Twins are asking for A. Heilman and there top 4 prospects seems like a little much.

I really think Santana will start the year with the Twins and at the trade deadline they may move him (although why would Santana waive his no-trade when he is 2 months from the Mets/Yankees/Red Sox in an all out bidding war for him). They will not receive close to what they can get now and might even have to throw Joe Nathan in (Jason that would be UNREAL, that is all I can say).

My 5 predictions for 2008 season (add yours in the comments and win a free T-shirt…Of course it will be one of my old crusty undershirts with Yankee pinstripe club in black marker on it, but hey at least you get something).

1-A-rod will be fine. 10 year deal or not the guy has too much pride not to work hard and play hard. Will he have a drop off yes, (who can keep up that pace) but he will still be the best player in the game.

2A- Mo Rivera will not be the Mo we know and love- Rumors will start to fly that Joba should be the closer. Mo will still be a good closer but the days of under 2 ERA’s and mowing down batters every outing will be over.

2B- Jorge Posada will drop off considerably. The guy had an unreal year and proved older catchers can play, but the years of catching and playing in all those post seasons will cause his offense to fall and I think he will be our #8 or # 9 hitter by all-star break.

Reason I put these together are that the 2 contracts Mo and Jorge signed this off-season the Yankees may be regretting them sooner rather then later.

3- Hideki Matsui will have a bounce back year. I do not know why I am feeling this, but I think the nagging injuries hurt a lot more then he let on and he will be more consistent this year. I know he had 100 rbi’s last year but he only played well for approx. 2 months last year.

4- Joba will be a stud no matter what role he plays. The stuff is just too good not to be an ace, Josh Beckett type starter. He has the lights out attitude that an ace needs to have and he will be an All-Star this year. He is the real deal.

5- The Yankees will make some sort of trade to bolster the bullpen. I have no idea what is out there, but I can not see them sitting tight with this pen. I mean Farnsworth is still in the talks as an 8th inning guy and Latroy Hawkins is a huge question mark. Sean Henn is the best lefty in the pen, that is a problem.