Yanks not done trying to get Santana

From ESPN Insider:

Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner believes his team has made the top offer for Johan Santana, according to a report in the New York Daily News.

"I think the Twins realize our offer is the best one," Steinbrenner told the newspaper. "I feel confident they're not going to trade him before checking with us one last time and I think they think we've already made the best offer."

Multiple reports have pegged the Yankees' offer to the Twins for Santana to be right-handed pitcher Phil Hughes, outfielder Melky Cabrera, right-handed pitching prospect Jeff Marquez and another prospect.

"I either have to do it [a Santana deal] or don't do it, same thing for the Red Sox, I guess," Steinbrenner said. "I think the Twins would like to keep him, so I don't think there's any hurry on anyone's part. It all depends on what [Santana] asks for in an extension. You obviously have to be very careful with pitchers, for obvious reasons."

ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports, meanwhile, that trade talks involving Santana have moved so slowly it's now possible a trade may not get done "for several weeks."

Stark says the most surprising aspect of those talks to some baseball people is that the Mets remain in the mix. It may be because the Twins would like to move Santana to the National League if possible. But while the Mets have made a four-for-one offer built around center fielder Carlos Gomez, indications are that the teams remain far apart.