The Twins recently reopened negotiations with star pitcher Johan Santana, and in the likely event that the cost-conscious, small-market team fails to sign him soon, it is expected that baseball's best pitcher will hit the trade market. Several competing general managers here said they are awaiting such a scenario and implied that they are ready to pounce on such a rare opportunity to land a clear ace. The Twins recently have made Santana an offer, and the buzz going around the general manger meetings here is that Santana is unlikely to come to a quick agreement and much more likely to be traded. The availability of Santana would resurrect a weak pitching market. The Twins are still talking to Santana, according to a league source. But multiple GMs here predicted that the Twins' chances to re-sign Santana, who can be a free agent after the 2008 season, are slim.