Meet the Mets, Johan!
We wanted to believe it could happen. And the longer the Johan Santana sweepstakes dragged on, the more it seemed that the Mets had a legitimate shot at the two-time Cy Young winner. And now the news that the Mets and Twins have agreed on a deal that would bring the 29-year-old -- who is hands-down the best pitcher in the game today -- to Flushing.
Wow.
The deal is contingent on Santana signing an extension with the Mets and there is a 72-hour window to get that done, but right now it looks like the Mets have finally landed the ace that their rotation has lacked since Pedro Martinez got hurt. Now, with Pedro healthy, the Mets have a starting four of Santana, Pedro, Maine and Perez with either Mike Pelfrey or Orlando Hernandez as the fifth starter, unless they also sign Livan Hernandez and shift El Duque to the bullpen.
But who cares about the fifth starter now? The Mets, once a long shot, have acquired Santana and did so without giving up Fernando Martinez, their top prospect. The Twins -- who at one time were demanding the likes of Jose Reyes or Phil Hughes or Jacoby Ellsbury -- accepted in return Carlos Gomez, Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey and Deolis Guerra.
Twins fans won't like it but the Twins had to make a deal before spring training or else risk getting nothing in return for the pending free agent. The Yankees and Red Sox backed off, no one else stepped up, and now Omar Minaya, who has been slammed in some circles for not doing enough to improve the team since its historic collapse, looks like a genius.
Even if all four players turn out to be solid major league players, it's an incredible deal for the Mets, unless Santana breaks down, and he has shown no signs of doing so.
Is there a chance that the Mets don't sign Santana? Sure, considering Santana reportedly wants a six- or seven-year extension and the Mets don't sign pitchers to deals longer than five years. But there are plenty of reasons why the Mets will complete the deal and likely make Santana the highest-paid pitcher in the game:
1. They have the money, and signing Santana not only means more wins but more fans and with that, even more money. He'll pay for himself and then some. Now the Mets have two 'must-see' starters on the staff.
2. Santana would absolutely DOMINATE the National League. Think Bob Gibson.
3. Santana, a former outfielder who has been described as a "phenomenal athlete," reportedly loves to hit and, according to Peter Gammons, would be the top-hitting pitcher in the league.
4. He'd be playing for a contender and a team (obviously) willing to do what it takes to win, which was a big complaint of his in Minnesota.
5. He'd be the highest-paid player in baseball, in the media capital of the world.
6. His agent also represents Jose Reyes and there is a feeling that the Mets will be able to creatively meet Santana's contract requests.
7. If the Mets don't sign him, their fans would burn down Citi Field before it even opens. And I'd be the first one with the torch.
Can't wait for pitchers and catchers, can you? Stay tuned, folks. Baseball is fun again!
Wow.
The deal is contingent on Santana signing an extension with the Mets and there is a 72-hour window to get that done, but right now it looks like the Mets have finally landed the ace that their rotation has lacked since Pedro Martinez got hurt. Now, with Pedro healthy, the Mets have a starting four of Santana, Pedro, Maine and Perez with either Mike Pelfrey or Orlando Hernandez as the fifth starter, unless they also sign Livan Hernandez and shift El Duque to the bullpen.
But who cares about the fifth starter now? The Mets, once a long shot, have acquired Santana and did so without giving up Fernando Martinez, their top prospect. The Twins -- who at one time were demanding the likes of Jose Reyes or Phil Hughes or Jacoby Ellsbury -- accepted in return Carlos Gomez, Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey and Deolis Guerra.
Twins fans won't like it but the Twins had to make a deal before spring training or else risk getting nothing in return for the pending free agent. The Yankees and Red Sox backed off, no one else stepped up, and now Omar Minaya, who has been slammed in some circles for not doing enough to improve the team since its historic collapse, looks like a genius.
Even if all four players turn out to be solid major league players, it's an incredible deal for the Mets, unless Santana breaks down, and he has shown no signs of doing so.
Is there a chance that the Mets don't sign Santana? Sure, considering Santana reportedly wants a six- or seven-year extension and the Mets don't sign pitchers to deals longer than five years. But there are plenty of reasons why the Mets will complete the deal and likely make Santana the highest-paid pitcher in the game:
1. They have the money, and signing Santana not only means more wins but more fans and with that, even more money. He'll pay for himself and then some. Now the Mets have two 'must-see' starters on the staff.
2. Santana would absolutely DOMINATE the National League. Think Bob Gibson.
3. Santana, a former outfielder who has been described as a "phenomenal athlete," reportedly loves to hit and, according to Peter Gammons, would be the top-hitting pitcher in the league.
4. He'd be playing for a contender and a team (obviously) willing to do what it takes to win, which was a big complaint of his in Minnesota.
5. He'd be the highest-paid player in baseball, in the media capital of the world.
6. His agent also represents Jose Reyes and there is a feeling that the Mets will be able to creatively meet Santana's contract requests.
7. If the Mets don't sign him, their fans would burn down Citi Field before it even opens. And I'd be the first one with the torch.
Can't wait for pitchers and catchers, can you? Stay tuned, folks. Baseball is fun again!
posted by Gaspo @ 8:03 PM
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