Twins say they are happy with Santana package

MINNEAPOLIS – When trading Johan Santana became a probability for the Minnesota Twins, the baseball world began to imagine the bounty such a dominant starting pitcher in the prime of his career could bring.

Well, the Twins wound up with four minor-leaguers from the New York Mets when the deal finally went down this week. Fans and analysts have been predictably critical of the package coming to Minnesota.

Even general manager Bill Smith acknowledged disappointment that he wasn’t able to acquire more immediate help for the team.

This, though, was a trade for the future.

Though they had little leverage by the end of this drawn-out process when the Yankees and Red Sox reduced their original offers, the Twins insisted they like what they got with center fielder Carlos Gomez and right-handed pitchers Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey and Deolis Guerra.

“The reality is they all fit profiles of things we need,” said Mike Radcliff, the team’s vice president of player personnel.

The Twins have long had one of the game’s top farm systems, and Radcliff – recently promoted from scouting director – is one of the best evaluators around. He was especially excited about Gomez, who will have a good chance to win a spot in the lineup this season and provide some 2008 impact while Santana settles in the National League with the early World Series favorite Mets.

The 22-year-old Gomez brings questions about his bat, particularly his ability to hit breaking pitches, but his speed is first-rate. Gomez was called up to the majors in May and batted .232 with five extra-base hits, 12 RBIs and 12 steals in 125 at-bats before breaking a bone in his left hand.

“This is the fastest guy in baseball, arguably,” Radcliff said. He compared Gomez to Torii Hunter, who left as a free agent in November after winning seven Gold Glove awards in nine seasons as Minnesota’s center fielder.

Hunter had 28 homers and 107 RBIs last year, though, a power output Gomez is certainly nowhere near being able to reach if he can at all.

“We’re going to put Gomez in a competition with Jason Pridie and Denard Span, and the best man will win and come forward as our center fielder,” Smith said.

The 25-year-old Humber went 11-9 with a 4.27 ERA for Triple-A New Orleans last season. He was a first-round draft pick, the third overall, in 2004. The rotation is wide open right now, and Humber could snag one of the last spots if he’s polished enough this spring. The former College World Series star from Rice, however, lost some velocity on his fastball after major elbow surgery in 2005 and is not expected to be more than a No. 3 or No. 4 starter.

The 22-year-old Mulvey, a second-round draft pick in 2006, spent most of last season in Double-A and played in the All-Star Futures game. So did Guerra, who could have the highest ceiling in the group.

He’s only 18, though, and finished last year in Class A. Radcliff said Guerra has hit 96 mph with his fastball.

Yes, this was a trade for 2010, when the team is scheduled to move into a new ballpark. For now, Minnesota might add another starting pitcher to its fledgling collection. There are more than a dozen free agents of varying accomplishment still on the market – Bartolo Colon, Josh Fogg, and Livan Hernandez.

“We’re still working the list,” Smith said. “We’re still scanning the free-agent boards. We’re still open to trades. We’re still trying to make our club better, and we’ll continue to do so. … Ideally, yeah, you’d love to have a veteran presence, but if we go with a young staff then we’re going to count on our bullpen to provide the support that they need.”