There is talk that the Mets were the most desperate of the three teams that showed interest in Johan Santana. True. But, assuming the Mets sign Santana, where does that leave the New York Yankees?

When I first heard the New York Mets became the frontrunners among the candidates wanting to trade for Johan Santana, I assumed they had included their No. 1 prospect, outfielder Fernando Martinez, in the deal.

But, no. After Tuesday's reports that the Mets have a deal with Minnesota, it appears the Twins caved in ... and Minnesota officials likely wished they had taken an original offer from the Yankees or Red Sox (unless the Twins really did not want Santana in the AL).

According to a the USA Today, the Minnesota Twins have agreed to trade Johan Santana to the New York Mets in exchange for four prospects.

The Mets still have to reach a contract extension with Santana.

According to the New York Post, the potential trade of Minnesota Twins ace Johan Santana is getting closer to reality, and that the Mets and Red Sox are the top candidates to get him.

The Boston Red Sox traded two minor league right-handed pitchers for Chicago White Sox right-handed relief pitcher David Aardsma.

Aardsma, 26, was a first-round draft pick, out of Rice in 2003, by the San Francisco Giants. He has also pitched for the Cubs and White Sox organizations. He has never pitched a full major league season.

Last year, Aardsma got off to a great start with the White Sox (2-0, 1.31, 26 strikeouts in 20 and two-thirds innings).

I'm still getting over the crush at Dunkin Donuts on Thursday, with a throng cramming in to see Jacoby Ellsbury (see the Press Herald for a story on Ellsbury's visit).

I came home last night to a pleasant surprise - the Baseball America Prospect Handbook had arrived. Here is a list of BA's list of the Red Sox top 30 prospects.

Tickets to most of the Boston Red Sox home games in 2008 will go on sale this Saturday at 10 a.m., by both phone and internet (no box office sales until February).

Last December, tickets to selected games in April and May, plus combination packages, went on sale. This Saturday, most of the remaining tickets go on sale (except the home opener, Yankees games, Monster seat and Right Field rooftop seats).

One item I did not get into my Sunday column was a note on Craig Hansen, the once-touted relief pitcher who is still a question mark.

Hansen underwent nasal surgery to help him sleep better. Farm director Mike Hazen said the surgery required a lot of time for recuperation, but that Hansen is now throwing and getting ready for spring training.

But will Hansen REALLY be ready.

Hard not to notice Dustin Richardson at the Red Sox Rookie Camp this week.

For one thing, he is 6 feet 6. For another, it was somewhat of a surprise he was there. He had only pitched four games in Class A Lancaster (a good four games, at 4-0, 2.74 ERA).

Kris Johnson, another top prospect, had been in Lancaster all year. He was not at the Rookie Camp. Red Sox Farm Director Mike Hazen explained that Johnson was "just below" the cut-off mark. The program had a maximum of 12 players.

Clay Buchholz met the media briefly today at Boston College and declared himself stronger, emphasizing that his shoulder is fine.

Buchholz, who pitched a no-hitter for the Red Sox in early September, tired at the end of the month and was left off post-season roster because of shoulder fatigue.

The Red Sox said they hoped Buchholz will take off-season conditioning more seriously, and Buchholz said he got the message.

With Doug Mirabelli reportedly re-signing with the Red Sox, the organization now has five catchers at the major league and Triple-A level.

Who plays where?

Talked to an insightful Yankees fan the other day and posed the question:

What worries you about the Yankees?

In other words, do the Yankees have any obvious weaknesses that are a concern? I could ask the same of Red Sox fans ... so I will.

As spring training looms, what are the concerns of the Yankees and Red Sox?

The Red Sox are beginning their annual stockpiling of free agent minor league pitchers, signing two lefties, Jon Switzer and for Sea Dog Michael Tejera.

They will be invited to major league spring training camp and will likely end up in Pawtucket.