Breaking down the candidates for Santana

1. New York Yankees- The Yankees are clearly the frontrunners for Johan Santana's services, and they have the goods that Minnesota wants. Melky Cabrera would have to go in any deal for the left-hander, and he would most likely have to be accompanied by Philip Hughes. New York probably will not be forced to include Robinson Cano, and if the Twins asked I'd imagine they would be turned down immediately. The Yankees have also deemed Joba Chamberlain untouchable. Don't be surprised to see a deal that would send Cabrera, Hughes, and another pitching prospect (maybe Alan Horne or Humberto Sanchez?) for Santana.
2. Boston Red Sox- Boston has enough to acquire Santana, but the question is whether or not they would give any of it up. The Red Sox have repeatedly stated that they are not trading Clay Buchholz, and although Jacoby Ellsbury is not untouchable, they would really like to do everything in their power to keep him as well. Jon Lester is another candidate to be involved in a potential deal, but Minnesota would want much more than Lester and some prospects.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers- The Dodgers have more than any other team on this list, but Ned Colletti has said that he does not want to give many of his young players up, and I can't blame him. The Marlins wanted some combination of Matt Kemp, James Loney, Andy LaRoche, Clayton Kershaw, and Chad Billingsley for Miguel Cabrera, but Colletti refused. For Santana, the Dodgers would certainly have to include one of Kershaw or Billingsley and then some. I would think the Twins would have the most interest in Kemp. The chances of Los Angeles making a deal for the two-time Cy Young award winner are very slim.
4. New York Mets- They are the least likely of any of the teams on this list to make a deal for Santana, especially because they will not include Jose Reyes in any trade for the 29-year old. The Mets could try and lure Minnesota into taking a deal consisting of either Mike Pelfrey or Philip Humber and Carlos Gomez or Fernando Martinez plus some other prospects, but I can't see the Twins biting on that. Pelfrey and Humber both saw their stocks drop this past season, and Gomez may never be anything more than a .240-.250 hitter on the major-league level.
5. Seattle Mariners- This one is really out there, but the Mariners are rumored to be in the running for the star pitcher's services. Things would start with Adam Jones, one of the top outfielding prospects in baseball. Minnesota may also ask for Jeff Clement and/or Wladimir Balentien, two more highly-touted minor-leaguers in Seattle's system. However, the Mariners love all three players, and it seems very unlikely that they would deal two of them in a deal for anyone.