There are rumblings that the Oakland Athletics and Arizona Diamondbacks are engaged in “constructive talks” that could see A’s pitcher Dan Haren shipped to the D-backs in exchange for Conor Jackson, Carlos Gonzalez, and other young players, according to the Boston Herald.

It had been widely assumed that serious discussions for the market’s other marquee pitchers would not begin in earnest until the Santana sweepstakes neared its finale. Perhaps this news is an indication that teams are proceeding as if Johan is indeed headed to Boston for a package surround lefty Jon Lester.

Regardless, should this rumor come to fruition, the Yanks would miss out on one of their most viable alternatives to Santana.