Sox should sweeten the pot.

OK now lets get this straight. Theo and the crew have left the winter meetings empty handed. The Twinkies have done their best to get everyone on board to sweeten the pot for the pitching services 28 year old, left-handed and a two-time Cy Young award winner Johan Santana -- whether it be from the Red Sox, the deadline-happy Yankees or new players such as the Mets (who are offering a package of prospects leading with outfielder Carlos Gomez and pitcher Mike Pelfrey), Mariners, Dodgers, Angels or even Rangers.

As this blog is being written the latest is that the prize Venezuelan pitcher is still the ace of the Twins and the general manager of the club is playing hard ball. Some say that they will keep Santana in hopes of getting a better deal in the July trade deadline. (Big Mistake!)

No one knows if Santana's value will be as high as it is today. The Yankees' offer of Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera and pitching prospect Jeffrey Marquez was solid. The Red Sox's believed bid of Jon Lester, Coco Crisp, Jed Lowrie and Justin Masterson isn't too bad, either. But neither proposal was enough for the Twins to pull the trigger.

By Minnesota not making the deal it gives hope to the perceived long shots in the field, most prominently the Mets and perhaps even the Mariners and Rangers (To tell you the truth, you have to questions whether Santana would OK a deal to those two teams). And while there's been no indication of talks with the Dodgers yet, baseball people believe they are best equipped to make a Santana deal because of their deep farm system and their signing of Andruw Jones, which could make young outfielders Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier expendable.

So here we are. The Red Sox still don't have the player that will assure them on being the favorites to win the World Series for the next 4 to 5 years. The twins want more from the Bosox. How much more? Elsbury instead of Coco? Do it! Buchholz and Lester? Do it! This organization has always wanted to be tha Yankees and they have finally achieved being perceived as the big bad Red Sox. With Santana they will be.

Now before you futuristic baseball fans start yelling, "GIVE AWAY THE FUTURE?" No, trade away some unproven talent with potential for a proven kick ass winner. Come on Sox Sweeten the pot. Your fans will love ya for it even if they don't know it yet.