Latest Johan Santana Rumors

The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo has the latest on the lingering Johan Santana saga.

• The Red Sox are standing pat with their offer of Coco Crisp, Jon Lester, Justin Masterson, and Jed Lowrie.  I’ve said it before – I consider this an excellent offer, though I might try to find a permutation that involves Jacoby Ellsbury and another player rather than Crisp/Lester.  The Twins seem to like this offer too; they just want to see if the Yankees crack and offer up Ian Kennedy, Melky Cabrera, and Phil Hughes.
• The Theo Epstein regime typically hasn’t been jazzed about contracts exceeding four years.  However they will break that rule for a Santana extension and are prepared to go seven if they have to.
• Cafardo dismisses the idea that Josh Beckett would be upset by Santana earning twice his salary.  Beckett will get his payday after the 2010 season, unless he flames out or the Red Sox extend him earlier.
• Random question: is there any chance the Red Sox exercise Manny Ramirez’s $20MM option for 2009?  Rob Bradford discussed this very topic over at the Boston Herald.