NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Though they hadn't struck a deal for Johan Santana, the Red Sox could at least take some satisfaction yesterday that, at the very least, they appeared to have outlasted some competitors for the Minnesota Twins' lefty.

The New York Yankees, viewed for the last week as the Sox' main competition, publicly removed themselves from the bidding yesterday. Hank Steinbrenner said of the Yankees quest, "It was pretty much done as of this morning," though a number of Red Sox officials remain understandably skeptical about the Yanks' public withdrawal.

After balking at including pitching prospect Ian Kennedy with Phillip Hughes and Melky Cabrera, the Twins suggested another package that included Hughes and Cabrera and two other prospects. Again, the Yankees declined.

Similarly, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim contradicted numerous reports that had them bidding for Santana, insisting that a Monday night conversation with the Twins didn't revolve around the pitcher.

With no other teams willing or able to match the Twins request for talent in exchange - to say nothing of the resources it would take to sign Santana to a six-year contract extension - last night, the Red Sox found themselves in the position of being the Twins' lone trading partner.

Asked last night about the prospect of a deal, general manager Theo Epstein told reporters: "Tough to tell. It takes two teams to make a trade. I know there's a lot of speculation that we're close to something big. But until we reach an agreement, then it's not that close.''

Very early yesterday morning, news surfaced that the Twins had requested medical reports on Jon Lester, one of the centerpieces of several Red Sox offers for Santana. But officials from both clubs said the request was part of the Twins' due diligence and not symbolic of a deal nearing competition.

Later, reports that the Sox had made another offer which included Single A outfielder Ryan Kalesh was shot down by a Twins official. In that scenario, the Twins would receive Lester, minor league righty Justin Masterson and Kalesh - a package that hardly seems suitable value in exchange for a 28-year-old, two-time Cy Young Award-winner.

Nor did there seem to be any sense that the trade talks were reaching any sort of finality. Some reports suggested that the Twins had conveyed a wish to get the trade done by last night, the Red Sox didn't get that message and were prepared to continue to talk through last night.

The Sox, of course, can afford to be more casual about the prospective deal, since adding Santana would be a luxury item. The Sox already boast six quality starters - Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Lester, Curt Schilling, Tim Wakefield and Clay Buchholz - and aren't lacking a true frontline starter.

From the beginning, the Red Sox have made it clear to the Twins that they won't put more than one of their top three young players - Lester, Buchholz and Jacoby Ellsbury - in a deal for Santana. The Twins can have one of the trio, but no more.

What's clear is that the Sox aren't about to overpay to obtain Santana. Having won two World Series in the last four years, the Sox are also in position to contend for several more thanks to a fruitful development system.

"It's one of the most difficult things - compete at the highest level and develop young talent,'' said Epstein. "We're in a position to continue to do that. We've worked very hard to get to this point.''

Then, in an apparent reference to the Santana talks, he added: "There are times to consider big moves that are too good to pass up.''

One major league executive yesterday said: "Theo has played this nicely. By the end of the week, either he'll leave with Santana or the Yankees will leave without [several of their best prospects].''

Still others question the wisdom of Santana - who boasts a full no-trade clause - agreeing to any deal this winter, just a year away from full free agency.

"He's better off just waiting until next year,'' said one baseball official, "and go on the market when both the Mets and Yankees are getting ready to move into new ballparks.''