The New York Daily News reports that the Yankees are willing to meet the Twins demand for Philip Hughes in a deal to bring Johan Santana to the Bronx. GM Brian Cashman, owner Hank Steinbrenner, and long time scout Gene Michaels discussed via conference call the decision to include Hughes and have reportedly decided to meet the Twins demand.
According to the club source, there was spirited internal debate in the organization via conference calls about whether to make Hughes available.
In any case, the club finally agreed to put Hughes in a package that includes center fielder Melky Cabrera and at least one other lesser pitching prospect still to be negotiated, as of Friday night. And by doing so they believe they are the front-runners to land Santana, the two-time Cy Young winner.
The Red Sox are unwilling to part with Clay Buchholz or Jacoby Ellsbury which puts them behind the Yankees at this point in the race to bag the biggest prize of this off season.
