I Think I Just Puked Up My Turkey

Jon Heyman of SI.com reported Friday that the Minnesota Twins recently offered Johan Santana a four-year extension worth $80 million.

Four years. Eighty million.

This heightens the possibility that the best pitcher in baseball may be traded this winter, most likely during the Winter Meetings, which run from Dec. 3-7 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Santana, 28, has been nothing short of outstanding for the Twins rotation over the last four seasons as a regular starter, compiling a 93-44 record and 3.22 ERA with 1,381 strikeouts.

While no one but Johan knows exactly what he's willing to settle for, insiders believe he can and should nail a contract exceeding Barry Zito's seven-year, $126 million deal he received as a free agent from the San Francisco Giants last year. This would put the two-time Cy Young winner roughly $50 million or more out of the Twins budget.

Since the club refuses to grant Santana the six-year extension (including 2008) that he wants, the two sides have agreed to begin exploring trade options.

Sweet.

Twins closer Joe Nathan, who will also become a free agent after next season, is sizing up the club's moves, as well.

"If they're going to get rid of two players like [Hunter and Santana], we better have some darn good players to fill their spots," he told the Pioneer Press. "They better get a really good package for [Santana] and get some guys ready to play now."

Since it's obvious that huge contracts are far outside of the Twins' economics, Nathan is under the impression that he only really has another year there.

[MLB Trade Rumors]