I have to admit I was among the skeptics at last month's Winter Meetings in Nashville who thought the Mets had little chance of acquiring Johan Santana. It just seemed that the Yankees and Red Sox had more enticing offers on the table.
And you know what? They did. But Twins GM Bill Smith felt he could do better by waiting and just the opposite happened. Smith gambled on the cold war paranoia between the Yankees and Red Sox and ultimately lost. In the end, the Yankees pulled their Phil Hughes-Melky Cabrera offer and Boston, who had two separate offers headlined by either Jon Lester or Jacoby Ellsbury, was satisfied that Santana wasn't going to the Bronx. That's when the Mets stepped in.
Timing is everything. With spring training a little less than three weeks away, the Mets just let 
the pressure build on Smith, who had a very restless Santana on his hands. Santana must have made it clear that he would be not be a happy man if the season began with him in Minnesota -- i.e. refusing to be traded before the end of the season, meaning the Twins would get nothing but draft picks when he left via free agency.
With the Yankees and Red Sox out of the mix, the Mets were left with virtually no competition for Santana and got him for four of their top 10 prospects. But not their top prospect -- Fernando Martinez. Sure, it hurts to some degree to lose Carlos Gomez and Deolis Guerra, and maybe Kevin Mulvey.But Philip Humber no longer fit into the Mets plans. As for the extension, which should wind up being in the six-year, $125 million range, with a vesting option, the money can't be that big a factor for the Mets. Not with their TV network thriving and Citi Field ready to open next season.
So congrats to COO Jeff Wilpon, GM Omar Minaya and the crew. The Mets have been torched since mid-September of last season, but trading for Santana could be the first step toward a World Series berth next October. That would make for a better ending.
Figured I should include one last photo of Santana in a Twins uniform. That's a Cy Young plaque he's holding there at the Metrodome. He could be hoisting No. 3 next year at Citi Field.
Comments (2)
Smith completely overplayed his hand. The only silver lining for Smith in trading Santana to the Mets is that he doesn't have to see him pitch against the Twins every year.
As for the Yanks, I don't see Santana going to the Mets if George was still in charge.
Now let's go get Bedard. Seriously, what do we need Fernando Martinez for anyways? Him and Pelfrey - Baltimore folk love bullpen people right? Throw in Duaner too :-)