[ghostbend]

First post from Maine. Our local sportstalk show said that reports out of Minnesota say the Santana to Boston trade is stiil alive with Boston shipping Lester, Crisp, Lowrie and Masterson for the Twins ace. Jacoby Ellsbury is apparently off the table. This would be a steal for Boston in hopes to repeat as champions, and also gives the Twins a decent return. I see Lester having a career similiar to Greg Swindell or Jarrod Washburn. By that I mean he is capable of putting up an 18-20 win season, but I don't believe he will be a trademark lefty in the Santana mold. Crisp could regain his stroke as a Twin, but I don't see him ever blossoming as a hitter in Boston.I don't think the Sox are comfortable with Crisp's bat, and this would lead me to believe Ellsbury is staying put. If the Sox were going to trade Ellsbury, I think they would have made a push for Hunter or Rowand. Getting Santana is a no-brainer. I'd even include Bucholz in the deal if I had to, but would demand another player from the Twins, no less than a blue-chip prospect. Santana on the Sox and NOT on the Yankees would obviously be huge.Also, remember the trade that brought Pedro to Boston included Brian Rose, Carl Pavano, and later Tony Armas Jr, three top pitching prospects at the time. The Pats are rollin', the Celtics are on fire, but I'm still rockin' the Sox....WORD