BOSTON - First, it was maybe the greatest slugger who ever lived, Alex Rodriguez.

Red Sox fans were loud and clear when the option of having him as their future third baseman was thrust upon them: We don't want him, his 50 homers or his 140 RBIs a year.

The trusty, humble, dependable, World Series MVP Mike Lowell had something to do it.

Well, the fans are at it again.

The Minnesota Twins are offering the Red Sox the best starting pitcher in baseball not named Josh Beckett on a silver platter.

They are offering left-hander Johan Santana, who would pretty much guarantee the Red Sox, barring several catastrophic injuries, of getting back to and probably winning another World Series in 2008.

As ex-manager Jimy Williams used to say, there's a problem in Boston, though. The Twins reportedly won't talk to the Red Sox, as of now, unless center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, who turned 24 on Sept. 11, is part of the equation.

Over the last few weeks, I have received about 30 messages via my "Burt Talks Sports" blog (see it on www.eagletribune.com) pertaining to Ellsbury. Every one of them says Ellsbury is not for sale.

I don't know what to say. Is it smart? Is it stupid? Are we too provincial and in love with our own athletes?

Or maybe it's this: Red Sox fans simply love what they have and aren't desperate anymore.

Here's what a guy named Colin wrote to me yesterday:

"I don't blame the Twins for asking for Ellsbury, but the Red Sox should not trade him under any circumstances. Giving up several prospects and stars for Santana is a move that a desperate team like the Yankees should make. It's not for a team in a position of strength like the Red Sox."

Whatever it is, my guess is Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein, who has been known to go off the board when it comes to acquiring talent (read: Thanksgiving dinner 2003 at the Schillings in Arizona), hears the hue and cry.

Epstein, though, doesn't have to be sold about Ellsbury. His speed generated runs in the playoffs, including and especially the last games at Coors Field, where he opened both Games 3 and 4 with hits.

Ellsbury not only survived after replacing Coco Crisp, but thrived (9 for 24, .375) in the postseason games he started. Basically, he was the same guy who electrified Fenway Park during the regular season.

Imagine what would happen to the newest, vocal additions to Red Sox Nation - junior high and high school-aged girls - if the handsome Ellsbury were to be jettisoned to the Twin Cities? A new Fenway Park - which is my dream - would probably be a necessity because the old one would be torn within hours of an Ellsbury deal.

The guess here is that Epstein won't let Ellsbury, one of his best draft picks, go so soon with so many more bases to steal.

E-mail Bill Burt at bburt@eagletribune.com.