Mets Land Santana Pending Contract Extension

[UNHWildCats]

The New York Mets have agreed to a trade for two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana (http://fantasybaseball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=MLB&id=2993), giving up four prospects to acquire the left-handed ace of the Minnesota Twins, according to two high-ranking Twins officials with knowledge of the talks and a person close to Santana.

The deal is pending the Mets and Santana reaching agreement on a six- or seven-year contract extension and that Santana passes a physical; they have been granted a 48 to-72-hour window to do so. Santana has a no-trade clause that he will waive if agreement is reached on a contract extension.

The Mets paid a high price in prospects to land Santana, agreeing to send the Twins outfielder Carlos Gomez (http://fantasybaseball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=MLB&id=4403) and pitchers Phil Humber (http://fantasybaseball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=MLB&id=2), Deolis Guerra (http://fantasybaseball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=MLB&id=4247) and Kevin Mulvey (http://fantasybaseball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=MLB&id=4755).

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2008-01-29-twins-mets-santana_N.htm

[danefan]

Rather have him with the Mets, then the Sox. Whew......

[UNHWildCats]

Rather have him with the Mets, then the Sox. Whew......
I rather have him with the Mets then with the Yankes or losing Ellsbury.

[Thunderstruck84]

I'm glad that this is finally over *knockonwood*. The question for the Twins now is who plays center field now, I don't think Gomez is ready to be an everyday centerfielder and I was hoping they would be getting something like that for Santana.

But's it's a good deal I guess, the Twins wanted prospects in bulk, and it didn't look like the Yankees or Red Sox we're willing to put more than 2 or 3 top prospects in their offers.

[UNHWildCats]

Well the Sox initially offered 4 top prospects including a ready CF in Ellsbury, Masterson, Bowden and Lowrie, im guessing as the Twins kept holding out the Sox offers werent as attractive as they were initially.

[Gil Dobie]

I'm glad that this is finally over *knockonwood*. The question for the Twins now is who plays center field now, I don't think Gomez is ready to be an everyday centerfielder and I was hoping they would be getting something like that for Santana.

But's it's a good deal I guess, the Twins wanted prospects in bulk, and it didn't look like the Yankees or Red Sox we're willing to put more than 2 or 3 top prospects in their offers.

Young, Cuddyer and Monroe have all been mentioned for CF also.

[Thunderstruck84]

Well the Sox initially offered 4 top prospects including a ready CF in Ellsbury, Masterson, Bowden and Lowrie, im guessing as the Twins kept holding out the Sox offers werent as attractive as they were initially.
Not that I have much expertise in in grading and rating minor league prosepects but I liked Boston's offer better, Ellsbury would've fit well in center field and at the top of the order for the Twins.

I trust the Twins management though, they've shown in the past they are very adept at rating talent and getting good prospect value in their trades. Although, I don't think they've ever traded a player the caliber of Santana, you'd like to think that when you trade the best pitcher in the game in the prime of his career that you'd get some pretty decent returns.

[Thunderstruck84]

Young, Cuddyer and Monroe have all been mentioned for CF also.
Hopefully somebody's got a plan for that position, Cuddyer is a natural with the baggie in RF and I don't know if Young or Monroe have the fielding chops to play CF in the Metrodome. I've also heard that if they don't get a major league ready CF back for Santana, they'd look to sign a free agent to a 1-year deal like Kenny Lofton or Cory Patterson.

[FargoBison]

Hopefully somebody's got a plan for that position, Cuddyer is a natural with the baggie in RF and I don't know if Young or Monroe have the fielding chops to play CF in the Metrodome. I've also heard that if they don't get a major league ready CF back for Santana, they'd look to sign a free agent to a 1-year deal like Kenny Lofton or Cory Patterson.

Gomez will play center right away.

As for the deal, not impressed would have much rather traded him for Hughes. That guy was the best player the Twins could have got back. At least he is going to the NL.

[FCS Preview]

Both the Yankees and Red Sox offered deals (allegedly) that were better than what the Twins got. Would be funny to see him reject the extension because he wants to test Free Agency.

[Thunderstruck84]

Peter Gammons is reporting on ESPN that the Yankees and Red Sox both backed off in the last couple weeks and the Twins took the Mets deal out of necessity. He claims the 4 prospects that the Twins got from the Mets wouldn't even be top 10 prospects in the Yankees or Red Sox farm systems.

Once again, I don't know much of anything about most of the names being bandied about but it's looking like the Twins may have seriously effed this up for themselves by not taking an offer from Boston or New York earlier in the negotiations.

[FCS Preview]

Humber I think is the top prospect in the deal.

[FCS Preview]

BaseballAmerica.com Top 10 Mets Prospects:

TOP TEN PROSPECTS
1. Fernando Martinez, of
2. Deolis Guerra, rhp
3. Carlos Gomez, of
4. Kevin Mulvey, rhp
5. Eddie Kunz, rhp
6. Brant Rustich, rhp
7. Philip Humber, rhp
8. Jon Niese, lhp
9. Nathan Vineyard, lhp
10. Robert Parnell, rhp

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/features/265152.html

[bluehenbillk]

Both the Yankees and Red Sox offered deals (allegedly) that were better than what the Twins got. Would be funny to see him reject the extension because he wants to test Free Agency.

If I'm a Twins fan (which I'm not), I'm pissed at this deal. The bottom line IMO is the Twins didn't want Santana in the AL. How else could you explain taking the Mets deal when the Yanks & Sox both offered better.

[FargoBison]

Humber I think is the top prospect in the deal.

Guerra is supposed to be the name to watch in the deal.

[whitey]

I still can't believe Omar was able to pull this off. The Twins got a decent package. It's not terrible, but they should of/could of done better. Guerra is the best pitching prospect in the Mets system, but he is young. He won't see the majors for a few more years. Gomez could be a 30/30 type player, but the jury is still out.

This was an excellent trade for the Mets. Yes, our farm system is going to be hurting for a few years. But being able to pull this deal off while keeping Fernando Martinez + Mike Pelfrey is a coup, IMO. The Mets have 3 first round picks in the next draft, plus a solid core of 30 and under players:

Pitching: Santana, Maine, Perez, Heilman, Sanchez, Smith
Position: Wright, Reyes, Beltran, Church

If they can avoid the major injury bug I think/hope the Mets will be able to survive w/o a deep farm for they next couple of years while they rebuild at the AAA/AA/A levels.

[AZGrizFan]

If I'm a Twins fan (which I'm not), I'm pissed at this deal. The bottom line IMO is the Twins didn't want Santana in the AL. How else could you explain taking the Mets deal when the Yanks & Sox both offered better.


The Twins got less for Santana than the A's got for Haren from the DBacks.... xeyebrowx xeyebrowx xeyebrowx xeyebrowx

[Go...gate]

YAY!!!!!!



LET'S GO METS!!!!!

[whitey]

The Twins got less for Santana than the A's got for Haren from the DBacks.... xeyebrowx xeyebrowx xeyebrowx xeyebrowx

There is a good reason for this: Haren is under contract for 3 more years. Santana isn't.

[AZGrizFan]

There is a good reason for this: Haren is under contract for 3 more years. Santana isn't.

While that's a good point, it's not that common for there to be THAT kind of disparity between the talent level of the packages....me thinks the Twinkies either screwed the pooch or were simply willing to take a much lesser package to get him out of their league.... xeyebrowx xeyebrowx

[whitey]

First of all, I don't think the disparity is as big as you think it is. That said...the Twins probably could have done better. They probably should have gotten Fernando Martinez instead of Gomez. I'm guessing they decided they wanted the player who is near major league ready and can play CF (FMart is a project corner OF).

The problem the Twins had is that they pretty much HAD to trade Santana. Billy Beane didn't have to trade Haren. Compounding the Twins problem is that only 3 teams really wanted Santana (no one else would want to meet his contract demands). It turns out that the Yankees and Red Sox were never really in it, so the Twins only had one choice. And that was to make a deal with the Mets.

So yeah, it's hard to say that they took a "lesser package" since I don't really think there was a better one. You are right about trading him to the NL though as that is a bit of extra value added to the Twins side for this trade.

[bulldog10jw]

YAY!!!!!!



LET'S GO METS!!!!!




xthumbsupx xthumbsupx xthumbsupx xthumbsupx xthumbsupx

[Gil Dobie]

Both the Yankees and Red Sox offered deals (allegedly) that were better than what the Twins got. Would be funny to see him reject the extension because he wants to test Free Agency.

What I heard at Twinsfest was Ellsbury/Lester or Hughes/Cabrerra deals were not offered as stated in the news media. The deal does look bad for the Twins though. Hughes or Lester and anybody would have been better.

[Gil Dobie]

Hopefully somebody's got a plan for that position, Cuddyer is a natural with the baggie in RF and I don't know if Young or Monroe have the fielding chops to play CF in the Metrodome. I've also heard that if they don't get a major league ready CF back for Santana, they'd look to sign a free agent to a 1-year deal like Kenny Lofton or Cory Patterson.

Monroe played about 80 games in center for Detroit a couple years ago.

[UNHWildCats]

What I heard at Twinsfest was Ellsbury/Lester or Hughes/Cabrerra deals were not offered as stated in the news media. The deal does look bad for the Twins though. Hughes or Lester and anybody would have been better.
Its no secret that the Red Sox refused to offer Lester and Ellsbury together in any offer. Boston flatout refused to do that.

The Yankees reportedly offered a package including Hughes and Cabrera but the Twins wanted a package that included atleast 2 of Hughes, Chamberlain and Kennedy which the Yankees refused.

[UNHWildCats]

I still can't believe Omar was able to pull this off. The Twins got a decent package. It's not terrible, but they should of/could of done better. Guerra is the best pitching prospect in the Mets system, but he is young. He won't see the majors for a few more years. Gomez could be a 30/30 type player, but the jury is still out.

This was an excellent trade for the Mets. Yes, our farm system is going to be hurting for a few years. But being able to pull this deal off while keeping Fernando Martinez + Mike Pelfrey is a coup, IMO. The Mets have 3 first round picks in the next draft, plus a solid core of 30 and under players:

Pitching: Santana, Maine, Perez, Heilman, Sanchez, Smith
Position: Wright, Reyes, Beltran, Church

If they can avoid the major injury bug I think/hope the Mets will be able to survive w/o a deep farm for they next couple of years while they rebuild at the AAA/AA/A levels.
Don't forget Pedro.... man if he can come out healthy, that could be one solid rotation

[whitey]

UNH,

Yeah. All signs right now point to Pedro being healthy. The Mets should have one very good rotation: Santana, Pedro, Maine, Perez, El Duque. I guess there is always the chance Duque is moved to the pen and Pelfrey is the 5th starter too.

Anyway, in that post you quoted me on. I was trying to point out that yeah that the Mets still have a very good group of young players and by the time that group of players starts showing significant decline the Mets will hopefully have rebuilt the farm.

[Peems]

Peter Gammons said that the Mets are now the best team in the NL and that they have a great shot at winning the whole shebang

[Reed Rothchild]

Peter Gammons said that the Mets are now the best team in the NL and that they have a great shot at winning the whole shebang

Only if Pedro is healthy.

[Peems]

Only if Pedro is healthy.

Currently all signs point to yes.

[Gil Dobie]

Santana's deadline for invoking his no-trade clause was yesterday, therefore the trade. Better than 2 draft picks if they had not traded him.

[GannonFan]

Wow, rotten trade for the Twins - didn't get anyone who is really major league ready, and it's just a crapshoot with the pitchers they got. They took a risk by bypassing the offers by the Yanks and the Sox made in December that probably would've included at least 2 major league ready players and the risk didn't pay off. They get him out of the league and they get 4 guys rather than the 2 draft picks they would've got if they kept him and lost him naturally, but it's a huge step down from the trades they could've had.

Big get for the Mets. Never know if Pedro is going to be healthy all year (probably not) and the starting rotation was pretty thin - El Duque will certainly miss a lot of time this year as always, and Maine and Perez are alright but not studs. Most importantly, this gives the Mets a real chance once they make the postseason - being able to throw Santana and Martinez in the same series multiple times will be tough for anyone to matchup against.

[AZGrizFan]

Currently all signs point to yes.

Operative word highlighted.

[TheValleyRaider]

Wow, rotten trade for the Twins - didn't get anyone who is really major league ready, and it's just a crapshoot with the pitchers they got. They took a risk by bypassing the offers by the Yanks and the Sox made in December that probably would've included at least 2 major league ready players and the risk didn't pay off. They get him out of the league and they get 4 guys rather than the 2 draft picks they would've got if they kept him and lost him naturally, but it's a huge step down from the trades they could've had.

Definately overplayed their hand, although I'm not totally convinced the Red Sox were as serious in trying to make the trade as they were driving up NY's price. Even all that time when they were the frontrunners, "having conversations" and all that, really, how many times can you present the same offers to one another?

Now, it's not necessarily a bad deal for the Twins by itself (and they tend to be pretty good judges of talent), but looks worse because they could have done much better for themselves back in December.


Big get for the Mets. Never know if Pedro is going to be healthy all year (probably not) and the starting rotation was pretty thin - El Duque will certainly miss a lot of time this year as always, and Maine and Perez are alright but not studs. Most importantly, this gives the Mets a real chance once they make the postseason - being able to throw Santana and Martinez in the same series multiple times will be tough for anyone to matchup against.

Santana will also be able to eat innings, which is doubly important given the state of the Mets bullpen. Even if he's giving up more than 2 runs a game, if he's still going 7-8 innings a start, that's still good for the team overall.

[andy7171]

Thank God he went to the Mets and not the Yanks or RedSox. WHEW!

I wonder if the Twins took the lesser of the three dealto keep him out of the AL?

[Go...gate]

Peter Gammons said that the Mets are now the best team in the NL and that they have a great shot at winning the whole shebang


He said that last year, too. xbawlingx

[whitey]

The Mets had a great shot at winning the whole thing even without Santana. The NL (while getting stronger) just still isn't on par with the AL yet. The challenge is making it through 162 games and getting into the playoffs. Due to 5 and 7 games series anything can happen. The MLB playoffs are not much more than a crapshoot. The Cardinals of 2 years ago being a perfect example.

[GannonFan]

The Mets had a great shot at winning the whole thing even without Santana. The NL (while getting stronger) just still isn't on par with the AL yet. The challenge is making it through 162 games and getting into the playoffs. Due to 5 and 7 games series anything can happen. The MLB playoffs are not much more than a crapshoot. The Cardinals of 2 years ago being a perfect example.

It's less of a crapshoot when you can throw more than one ace on the hill in a series. That's been the Yankees undoing these past several years - no aces to take the momentum in a series. Now the Mets have Santana and if he's healthy come October, Pedro. The increases the odds for the Mets quite a lot.

[UNHWildCats]

Theres reports that the Red Sox when contacted early this week for its best final offer refused to any longer include Lester or Ellsbury in any deal.

[UNHWildCats]

Thank God he went to the Mets and not the Yanks or RedSox. WHEW!

I wonder if the Twins took the lesser of the three dealto keep him out of the AL?
The Twins gambled figuring the longer they waited the more they could get, in the end Boston wouldnt even offer the inital deals and the Yankees likely didn't as well.

The Twins simply got the best they could have gotten this week, which was far less then they would have gotten 6 weeks ago.

[GannonFan]

Theres reports that the Red Sox when contacted early this week for its best final offer refused to any longer include Lester or Ellsbury in any deal.

I could see that being true - I'm sure a lot of the Red Sox's interest in Santana in December was to try to keep him from going to the Yanks, or at least make the Yanks give up a lot to get him. The Twins blew it when they let the Yankees walk away from the table (or not believing them when they said they were out of the running) - once that happened, Boston was much less concerned about getting Santana. Although they have the money, you could sense Boston wasn't really eager to pay the salary that Santana's gonna get from the Mets. The Twins, in order to get the most back, had to keep both the Yanks and Red Sox interested - they didn't do that and subsequently got a bum deal.

[UNHWildCats]

I could see that being true - I'm sure a lot of the Red Sox's interest in Santana in December was to try to keep him from going to the Yanks, or at least make the Yanks give up a lot to get him. The Twins blew it when they let the Yankees walk away from the table (or not believing them when they said they were out of the running) - once that happened, Boston was much less concerned about getting Santana. Although they have the money, you could sense Boston wasn't really eager to pay the salary that Santana's gonna get from the Mets. The Twins, in order to get the most back, had to keep both the Yanks and Red Sox interested - they didn't do that and subsequently got a bum deal.
I dont think the salary scared Boston too much, I think its they look at Ellsbury as being a leadoff CF for the next 10-15 years who can be an explosive player for them and theres also many within the front office who have strong feelings that Lester will win 18-20 games a year.

But your righyt the bottom line was Boston didnt need Santana.

Peter Gammons yesterday said neither Boston or the Yankees were losers here cause neither needed him and both got to keep all their nyoung players. I dont buy that tyhough, the Yankees did need him.

[GannonFan]

I dont think the salary scared Boston too much, I think its they look at Ellsbury as being a leadoff CF for the next 10-15 years who can be an explosive player for them and theres also many within the front office who have strong feelings that Lester will win 18-20 games a year.

But your righyt the bottom line was Boston didnt need Santana.

Peter Gammons yesterday said neither Boston or the Yankees were losers here cause neither needed him and both got to keep all their nyoung players. I dont buy that tyhough, the Yankees did need him.

I think the Yankees did need him too. They're putting tons of stock in those 3 young guys that just might not work out for them. I think Jabba is likely a lock, but Hughes and Kennedy aren't surefire studs. Hughes didn't look the same after he got hurt last year and we haven't seen enough of Kennedy. Pettite should be solid, but you also now have to wonder about Wang and if his horrible playoff showing last year might linger into this year. And even if it doesn't, the Yanks still don't have the dominant playoff pitching you need to win - Pettite is decent, but that's it. And now Jabba isn't there to bridge the gap to Mariano, who's again a year older. Santana would've worked wonders for the Yanks.

[UNHWildCats]

I think the Yankees did need him too. They're putting tons of stock in those 3 young guys that just might not work out for them. I think Jabba is likely a lock, but Hughes and Kennedy aren't surefire studs. Hughes didn't look the same after he got hurt last year and we haven't seen enough of Kennedy. Pettite should be solid, but you also now have to wonder about Wang and if his horrible playoff showing last year might linger into this year. And even if it doesn't, the Yanks still don't have the dominant playoff pitching you need to win - Pettite is decent, but that's it. And now Jabba isn't there to bridge the gap to Mariano, who's again a year older. Santana would've worked wonders for the Yanks.
Plus none of the three have pitched a full season yet.

Boston has the same issue with Buchholz and Lester, but they also have 4 other solid starters and those two could end up splitting time at #5 so they dont need them to both pitch 200 innings.

[Thunderstruck84]

I think both the Yankees and Red Sox were in it to keep Johan from going to the other. If either of them really wanted Santana there would've been no such thing as an "untouchable" prospect in negotiations as both Buckholz and Chamberlain were designated as. Think about it, you're talking about the best pitcher in the league who is also a lefthander and is also in the prime of his career, and if you really want him (and money is not an issue) you should be willing to give up you're biggest blue chip prospect(s) to get him.

I am glad Santana didn't go to one of those two teams though, now I can still root for him. xsmiley_wix

[TheValleyRaider]

I think the Yankees did need him too. They're putting tons of stock in those 3 young guys that just might not work out for them. I think Jabba is likely a lock, but Hughes and Kennedy aren't surefire studs. Hughes didn't look the same after he got hurt last year and we haven't seen enough of Kennedy. Pettite should be solid, but you also now have to wonder about Wang and if his horrible playoff showing last year might linger into this year. And even if it doesn't, the Yanks still don't have the dominant playoff pitching you need to win - Pettite is decent, but that's it. And now Jabba isn't there to bridge the gap to Mariano, who's again a year older. Santana would've worked wonders for the Yanks.

In the immediate season, there are certainly questions. I tend to be more optimistic about Hughes in the long-term than I am about Chamberlain. Remember that Hughes:
A) went 3-0 with a 2.73 ERA in September in the midst of a pennant race
B) gave up 1 run in 5.2 Innings in the postseason (both out of the bullpen)
and C) wasn't even supposed to be with the Yanks before September anyway
Not to talk down Joba, but we still don't know for sure how his ability translates as a starter. I'm high on him as well, but as with them all, we shall see.

The biggest thing seems to be, as you mentioned before, the lack of a true #1. The offense's disappearing act in the playoffs has not helped the situation either, but sometimes you need that Ace to compensate. Wang's postseason last year was pretty awful, but he was fairly solid the two years before that. The Indians had an Ace in CC Sabathia and he wasn't very good last October either.

If Wang is more himself come October, and the Yankees get good production from one of the Young 3, they'll be right in the hunt again.

[Eyes of Old Main]

I see the Yankees and Red Sox saw that this deal didn't make sense, but the Mets were happy to oblige the Twins. As always, the Mets desire to catch up to the Yankees has made them change their strategy and take on a bad deal. Jealousy is such a powerful fault.

[TheValleyRaider]

I see the Yankees and Red Sox saw that this deal didn't make sense, but the Mets were happy to oblige the Twins. As always, the Mets desire to catch up to the Yankees has made them change their strategy and take on a bad deal. Jealousy is such a powerful fault.

What's so bad about the deal for the Mets? xconfusedx

They get a Cy Young caliber pitcher for 2008 and beyond, keep their best prospects, and add another star player in time for the opening of the new stadium. Yeah, it'll be a lot of money to keep Santana, but the Mets aren't poor, not by a long shot.

[Go...gate]

I see the Yankees and Red Sox saw that this deal didn't make sense, but the Mets were happy to oblige the Twins. As always, the Mets desire to catch up to the Yankees has made them change their strategy and take on a bad deal. Jealousy is such a powerful fault.

WTH?? xconfusedx

You have a chance to get arguably the best pitcher in the AL and you get him, and that's jealousy? You have a chance to improve your team, you do it. As far as the Yankees are concerned, GEORGE Steinbrenner would have made this deal happen, and would have fired the GM who failed to do so!

I think the Mets have strengthened themselves significantly by losing Milledge, LoDuca and Glavine and making this move, along with those for Schnieder and Church.

[whitey]

I see the Yankees and Red Sox saw that this deal didn't make sense, but the Mets were happy to oblige the Twins. As always, the Mets desire to catch up to the Yankees has made them change their strategy and take on a bad deal. Jealousy is such a powerful fault.

Wow. Just wow. This is in no way shape or form a bad deal for the Mets. They got arguably the best pitcher in baseball for 4 prospects, none of whom is projected to be a superstar. Two of the pitchers (Humber and Mulvey) project as #3's at best, more likely #4's. Guerra is 19 years old and in Single A. He has at best a 50/50 chance of even making the big leagues, let alone being productive there. Gomez looks like he will have a long productive career in the OF. But he's not the next Beltran or even Sizemore. He'll more likely be a Preston Wilson.

The only jealousy I detect is in your post. What are you a Braves fan?

[Gil Dobie]

The Pioneer Press reported today that Minnesota went to the Yankees and offered Santana for Kennedy and Cabrerra, and the Yankees said no thanks. Then they went to Boston, and Ellsbury and Lester were no longer available. Twins probably got 4 future Major League players, but none will be as good as Santana.

Pioneer Press Link (http://www.twincities.com/twins/ci_8123969?nclick_check=1)
If the Twins were expecting to receive the next Johan Santana among the package of prospects they have accepted from the New York Mets in exchange for the two-time Cy Young Award winner, they're going to be disappointed, say observers who have watched those players up close.

But if Minnesota was looking for a quartet of youngsters with major league ability, a group likely to make an impact after the Twins move into a new ballpark, it might have accomplished that much.

"These guys have a ton of talent. It wouldn't surprise me if all four of them have big-league careers," said former Mets outfielder Ron Swoboda, television analyst for New York's Class AAA team, the New Orleans Zephyrs. "The Mets got the best player, certainly, a guy who will have an impact this year. I don't know if the Twins got anybody for today. But they got some really good kids."

Pioneer Press Link (http://www.twincities.com/twins/ci_8123951)
Smith was "in a panic," according to a report in the Record of Hackensack, N.J., and "admitted surrender" by offering Santana to the Yankees for outfielder Melky Cabrera and pitcher Ian Kennedy - forgoing pitcher Phil Hughes, the centerpiece of the teams' talks in December.

"The Yankees considered the idea, but only briefly and not seriously," the Record reported, citing no sources. "... Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told Smith he was passing on the deal, prompting the Twins to call the Red Sox. Equally devastating news awaited. Jacoby Ellsbury and Jon Lester were unavailable."

[whitey]

I'm not sure if I believe they offered Santana to the Yankees for Cabrera and Kennedy alone. It must have included some other prospects because the Mets package of 4 is superior to Cabrera + Kennedy alone. Not to mention the Yankees would have to be incredibly stupid to turn that deal down. The chances of both Smith and Cashman being that bad at their jobs is close to nill.

[Gil Dobie]

I'm not sure if I believe they offered Santana to the Yankees for Cabrera and Kennedy alone. It must have included some other prospects because the Mets package of 4 is superior to Cabrera + Kennedy alone. Not to mention the Yankees would have to be incredibly stupid to turn that deal down. The chances of both Smith and Cashman being that bad at their jobs is close to nill.

We don't know how good Smith is yet, this is his first year on the job. The trade with Tampa for Young was looked at as positive. Time will tell with the Santana trade.

[PaladinFan]

I hate ESPN and their New York homerism. The Mets may get Santana, but they still had 3/5 of their rotation last year pitching way over their head. Pelfry, Maine, and Perez just aren't as good as their '07 numbers.

I really think the Phils and Braves will battle it out. The Bravos have the deepest rotation, the strongest bullpen, and (with a healthy Chipper Jones) the best lineup top to bottom. The other two teams maybe have the better one or two players, but over a whole season, I just think the Braves depth will put them ahead of the Mets.

[whitey]

Paladin,

Pelfrey had horrible numbers. He has no where to go but up. With Santana on board he will be in AAA or long relief a good portion of the season anyway.

I disagree that Maine played over his head. He now has 47 starts with the Mets. His numbers haven't varied much over the course of that spread. When you strike out nearly a batter an inning and average twice as many strikeouts as walks it's pretty safe to say you are a solid pitcher. He's no number 1 or number 2 starter, but he is a solid #3. He's basically a much younger version of Jeff Suppan.

You might have a point about Perez playing over his head, but saying he was "way over" is a little bit of a stretch. That said his number should and probably will regress a bit this season, but even with his likely regression he'll be one of the better #4 starters in the entire league.

Your point about depth is well taken. Everyone has injures and the Braves and Phillies are built better to handle those situations. It's going to be a long, intense and exciting season to watch in the NL East. I can't wait.

[Ivytalk]

Fast forward to late February. Santana shows up in camp 30 lbs. overweight with a stress fracture that he blames on tripping over a supermodel in the dark. He misses 3 months, and the Mutts finish 3rd!:p xnodx

[gmoney55]

Some people are really grasping at straws to put this deal down. Mets made a great deal, but by no means is the division conceded. If anything they are close to even footing with the Phils and Braves. And I'm not sure that I'd buy that Maine and Perez were over their heads anymore than someone like Kendrick was. Both Maine and Perez have more than one good season to their name now, and their BAA was really low until the final month or so.

[Go...gate]

I hate ESPN and their New York homerism. The Mets may get Santana, but they still had 3/5 of their rotation last year pitching way over their head. Pelfry, Maine, and Perez just aren't as good as their '07 numbers.

I really think the Phils and Braves will battle it out. The Bravos have the deepest rotation, the strongest bullpen, and (with a healthy Chipper Jones) the best lineup top to bottom. The other two teams maybe have the better one or two players, but over a whole season, I just think the Braves depth will put them ahead of the Mets.

Yeah, especially with Tom Glavine. He really stepped up in the clutch last year. xrolleyesx xconfusedx :(

[Gil Dobie]

Fast forward to late February. Santana shows up in camp 30 lbs. overweight with a stress fracture that he blames on tripping over a supermodel in the dark. He misses 3 months, and the Mutts finish 3rd!:p xnodx

LMAO, Santana wasn't at Twinsfest, but Joe Mauer said he had been working out with him in Florida the week before Twinsfest. Mauer is pretty serious about conditioning, maybe too serious that he get hurt working out too much. xoopsx

[whitey]

Yeah, especially with Tom Glavine. He really stepped up in the clutch last year. xrolleyesx xconfusedx :(

xrotatehx

[UNHWildCats]

Extension done, physical coming.

[Gil Dobie]

Hope Santana does well in the NL No more DH's to pitch to. xthumbsupx

[AZGrizFan]

Hope Santana does well in the NL No more DH's to pitch to. xthumbsupx


K's up by 30
ERA drops by .75xnodx xnodx xnodx xnodx
WHIP down by .15

[Cleets]

K's up by 30
ERA drops by .75xnodx xnodx xnodx xnodx
WHIP down by .15

Or better even... his ERA might drop a full point..!!! (cause pinch hitters suck)
and if he has 35 starts with 6 innings a start his K's will be up maybe 50 (but 30 is a better guess)


Spot on AZ..!!! (Money ball)

[whitey]

Even though this is a record setting $150 million contract I think it's a win for everyone. Well, except for the Indians.

Let's Go Mets!