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Johann Santana IS the best pitcher in baseball. I was thrilled to get him, but the state of the Mets is such that a few young guys with high ceilings is needed more than one stud pitcher. My first idea is a crazy one, but considering who I would be dealing with, it is not impossible. I would drive over to Yankee Stadium and get Hank Steinbrenner alone in a room. This is vital because if Brian Cashman or anyone else who actually knows baseball got wind of it, I would have no shot. Like his Dad, Hank covets the big name and could care less how much money and how many prospects it would cost him. Besides, he has already declared his disgust that his people did not get this done this winter. I would tell him that He can have Johann for Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, and Melky Cabrera. He might actually be sharp enough to balk at Joba, but if he is a true Steinbrenner, I'll get it done.

I would not be trading Santana because he is not wanted. I would be be trading him because I am getting great young talent, depth, and payroll relief in return. Along those same lines, it is time to bid adieu to the only other two players on my roster with any real trade value not named Wright or Reyes, Carlos Beltran and Billy Wagner.

Since the emergence of Josh Hamilton, I have been wondering what the Reds response would have been this past off season if we had made an offer of something like Beltran, Wagner, and Carlos Delgado for Hamilton, Johnny Cueto, Brandon Phillips, and Joey Votto. Of course, they turned Hamilton into Edinson Volquez, which turned out nicely for both teams and they signed Francisco Cordero to a huge contract to close games for them, so they would not want Wagner now. I wonder how they would respond now to an offer of Beltran, Delgado, and Oliver Perez for Jay Bruce, Phillips, and Volquez? Probably not well since they are in the midst of an admirable youth movement themselves.

I would call the team I am most impressed with this season. After losing for their entire existence but hoarding young talent as I would, The Tampa Bay Rays are finally involved in a pennant race, and against the mighty Yanks and Sox no less! Good for them. This also could be good for me as their bottomless farm system and new contender status makes them perfect trading partners. I have been focused on some of their young talent for years. Of course, I would love to reacquire Scott Kazmir, given to them by the Mets for little more than a bag of balls. And I have long admired

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