Ortiz says Johan Santana won't be a Red Sox

by Randy Booth on Dec 24, 2007 10:51 AM EST in News

When Papi speaks, you listen:

"No," Ortiz said when asked if he thought his good friend, Santana, would be traded to the Red Sox. "I was (following it) for a minute, but I guess they stopped. They don't want him to go. (Minnesota) already gave Boston too many good things already. Me, and now Santana? No way."

While Ortiz' belief that the left-hander won't be coming to the Red Sox might serve as coal in the stockings of many New Englanders, the idea of missing out on the former Cy Young Award winner doesn't thrill the Sox slugger, either. The two have remained close since they first played together with Minnesota in 2000, and Ortiz still carries pictures of Santana's children on his cell phone.

"Hell yeah," Ortiz said when asked if he was excited at the prospect of calling Santana a teammate again. "What do you think? That's a whole lot less trouble for me."

Papi is funny, isn't he? There's a difference between when we signed Ortiz and how we're trying to acquire Santana. Ortiz was considered "done." Santana is considered "in his prime." We were just able to unleash the beast that is Papi. Santana has already been unleashed and we're going to have to spend a lot to bring and keep him here.

Word is that the Sox will continue "vigorous" talks with the Twins after the New Year. I wouldn't be surprised if a deal is done within the first week of the New Year.

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