The Associated Press reports that the New York Yankees and the Minnesota Twins are discussing a possible trade for Twins pitcher Johan Santana.

Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner said Monday that discussions are ongoing but it was too early to tell whether they would lead to a deal. He did not detail how far talks had progressed.

“I don’t want to get into that at this point, as far as what they want, what we’re willing to give and all that,” he said. “It’s preliminary right now.”

At his blog minorleagueball.com, John Sickels has posted his 2008 edition of the New York Mets Prospects. Fernando Martinez ranks in at #1 followed by in order Deolis Guerra, Carlos Gomez, and Kevn Mulvey. John ranks Philip Humber at #7.

I am a big fan of Jon Niese’s but I dont feel he should be ranked ahead then Humber. Other then that, for the most part though, I agree with his list.

Overall our system has some talented pitchers with some good potential such as Scott Moviel, Brant Rustich, Eddie Kunz, & Nathan Vineyard who could possibly make an impact at the big league level this year, but when you look at the hitters all you see is Fernando, Gomez, and possibly Mike Carp becoming successful major league players. Unfortunately this shows how weak the Mets really are offensivley in the system.

Nick Evans and Brahiam Maldonado are two guys that definatley get overlooked in the Mets farm system and I am very excited to see what they both do in 2008.

John Sickels at his blog minorleagueball.com, feels the Mets are rushing their prospects Fernando Martinez, Deolis Guerra, and especially Carlos Gomez through the system too fast.

One comment he writes about Gomez is:

He’s a remarkable athlete with plus speed, a great glove, and offensive potential. But his bat is unrefined. His plate discipline is poor, his power is undeveloped, and he needs regular playing time get his swing in gear and work these issues out. Regular playing time in Double-A and Triple-A, not in the majors. Sticking him in the regular lineup in ‘08, like the Mets are talking about, is a huge risk for his long-term development, and an unnecessary one.

I could see his point about Fernando or Deolis but last year the Mets were dropping like flies in the outfield and Gomez was pretty much the only option to go with inside the system wise. With the re-signing of Moises Alou for LF, Carlos Beltran in CF, and Lastings Milledge in RF and Endy Chavez as our 4th outfielder I don’t see any room for Gomez. I highly doubt well see much of Gomez in 2008 unless theres some more injuries similar to last year’s situation.

Theres also the chance of the Mets trading Milledge during this off season but if that happens I feel the Mets will definitely try and do anything to keep Gomez in AAA for most of 2008 because of how he performed last year doesn’t make it seem he would be ready this year to be a regular in 2008 lineup.

Dan M. has posted another set of pictures he has taken at the CitiField construction site on November 23. You may check that and all of his previous sets here.

Newsday reports Billy Joel is set to be the final performer at Shea Stadium, doing a string of concerts there before its planned demolition after the 2008 Mets season.

Check out these new Citifield photos taken by Dan M. on September 9.

David Lennon of Newsday writes that the Mets will open up the 2008 season on the road when they visit the Marlins on Mar. 31 at Dolphin Stadium

It’s the fourth time in five years the Mets will have kicked off the season on the road, with their only recent home opener coming in 2006. They started in Atlanta in 2004, Cincinnati in 2005 and St. Louis this season.