Ahhh, nothing goes with the smell of burning Hot Stove logs quite like the stench of another Buster Olney report.

In his latest column for ESPN Insider, Buster Olney is claiming a possible shoulder injury to Johan Santana could be the major factor in trading the lefty before spring training.

Olney recently spoke with a “talent evaluator” recently who “thinks that if the Twins are intent on swapping Santana for a relatively modest package of prospects before the start of spring training, this may reflect some concern over the pitcher’s physical condition. In the aftermath of Santana’s 17-strikeout game against the Rangers on Aug. 19, there was some evidence of diminished velocity in the left-hander, and it was noted by at least one scout that he used his slider much less often — and in his final seven starts after that 17-strikeout game, Santana compiled a 5.11 ERA, allowing nine homers in 44 innings.”

Nice job finally providing statistical references Buster, but one look at another dominant AL lefty’s career will tell you that perhaps switching leagues would benefit Santana stats, and shines some light on the situation more than this “arm trouble” speculation. But that’s what we do Buster, we dig a little deeper.

We remember Randy Johnson had similar arm questions surface in 1998, his last year in Seattle and a 4.33 ERA was decent evidence that his dominant days were behind him. Too many fastballs and sliders must have taken their toll, right?

Well, not so much. A trade to the NL followed by four consecutive Cy Young Awards and his “shoulder problems” were just fine thank you.

Granted, it turned out that similar Pedro Martinez questions turned out to be a reality, resulting in major surgery, but not before two years of NL dominance after the age of 34.

Johnson was 35 at the time of the deal and spent years baffling AL hitters, widely considered the stronger offensive league. Historically the arms of fastball/change up pitchers like Johan have held up well. Not to mention Santana turns just 29 in March.

Needless to say that speculating about arm problems is a sensational journalistic tactic at best. So allow us to speculate that Buster’s “talent evaluator” is either Mr. Hanky or Linda Cohn.