[mofome]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...ons/index.html

The Mets and superstar pitcher Johan Santana are making progress on a multi-year contract that's likely to guarantee him about $150 million, according to people familiar with the talks. With Friday's 5 p.m. ET deadline approaching, the sides are believed to be more than $20 million apart, but high-ranking baseball people believe the deal is all but certain to get done.

One person with knowledge of the talks pegged a recent Mets offer at about $21.5 million per year over six years on top of the $13.25 million salary Santana's already guaranteed for 2008, bringing the total package to $142.25 million.

It is believed Santana has been seeking a deal closer to $170 million total. The Mets had been hopeful to lure Santana with a five-year offer but Santana's side gained significant leverage after the Mets made what is seen as a favorable trade to acquire him.

Baseball people believe they can't fail to sign him. "It has to get done," one baseball executive said.

Said another exec, "The Mets can't walk away."

is this thing gonna get done??

[brock]

So isnt there a Friday deadline have to think it gets done

[brock]

sorry just seen the deadline is 5pm est in the article I think it gets done mo

[mofome]

sorry just seen the deadline is 5pm est in the article I think it gets done mo

yeah i think the mets have to do it. seems like johan is in a great position to get paid.

[5 star bomb]

It will definitely get done. I thought it was the years that were the problem and not the money. Im sure its a little bit of both. Mets just playing tough for now, this deal will get done

[Deuce]

Overrated, this guy is declining year after year. Don't get me wrong he is still solid but no where near these numbers.

[brock]

Still wish the Twins would have done the yankee deal instead being stubborn cost them

[Deuce]

Still wish the Twins would have done the yankee deal instead being stubborn cost them

The Twins got buried here.

[mofome]

Overrated, this guy is declining year after year. Don't get me wrong he is still solid but no where near these numbers.

in the nl, in that stadium, his numbers should be better than ever.

[brock]

The Twins got buried here.

True but they either had to take what was offer in the end or get nothing for him at the end of the season.

[brock]

Thing is at the winter meetings the twins had the soxs and yankees offering much better then what they ended up getting

[mofome]

Thing is at the winter meetings the twins had the soxs and yankees offering much better then what they ended up getting

yep. they didnt do well for themselves.

[Matt23]

Is there really that big of a difference between $150 million and $170 million? I know that I for one would rather take $150 million and a chance to play on a World Series contender then a bit more money while playing on a team sitting in the cellar all season.

[brock]

Twins offer 80 million for 4 years and he would of not of had to play in the big market of new york where there will be a lot more pressure and after 4 years he could have still signed another pretty big contract at current market prices at that time

[20Four7]

Don't think rational for one minute... he's thinking (or he's agent is) like a major league **** head. no difference in my opinion.

[Wrigley]

They will get it done

[Wheell]

Both sides lose if it doesn't get done, ergo it gets done.

[mofome]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...n.Johanupdate/

Johan Santana and the Mets continue to make progress on a record-setting contract that is expected to make the two-time Cy Young winner a $150-million man, SI.com has learned. People with knowledge of the talks say they expect a deal to be completed. The deadline is 5 p.m. EST, but if an extension is needed to negotiate further, Major League Baseball would almost surely grant it.

Santana and the Mets are discussing a contract extension for six years that is expected to pay Santana close to $22 million a year, according to sources familiar with the talks. In addition, it is believed the Mets may add about $7 million to Santana's $13.25 million salary for 2008.

That expected new $20 million salary for '08, and the six additional years at $22 million, could bring Santana's total haul to $152 million. The previous record for a pitcher was Barry Zito's $126-million, seven-year deal signed last winter with the San Francisco Giants.

It is believed the players union has been pressing Santana's agents, Peter and Ed Greenberg, to beat the $150-million threshold, as Santana is setting the standard for pitchers and will likely affect the salaries of other top-of-the-line starters. The Mets, who originally hoped to keep the package to five additional years, have been hoping to keep the total compensation below $150 million.

Santana's Twins contract is set to run out after the '08 season, and the Mets are trying to satisfy his financial requests to convince him to waive his full no-trade clause and agree to commit to the Mets on a multiyear basis. The Mets sent four prospects to the Twins for the right to negotiate with Santana: outfielder Carlos Gomez plus pitchers Kevin Mulvey, Phil Humber and Deolis Guerra.

[TexansFan]

$20 million for a pitcher? Ridiculous. Baseball is so watered down with average players. Where else besides MLB can a pitcher go 4-10 with an ERA of over 5.00 ask and get a raise. And no, I'm not talking about Santana.

[Junkyard Dog]

any news on this? 430 est and havent heard anything from the major outlets yet