Comments on: The Mets 5th Starter Should Be…Johan Santana?

By: sportsguy31

sportsguy31 — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 21:27:59 +0000

they dont play any warm weather games at all. just look at the schedule. i say start him opening day and then put him back in extended spring training for a bit. they could use his roster spot for another bullpen arm in the early going anyway.

By: RickeyBobby

RickeyBobby — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:33:21 +0000

Overall I think ts a great call, depending on how well he progresses but it does make alot of sense to push him those couple weeks unless he is totally ready.

The other option is having him on a strict picth count say 75 pictches until he gains full strength and recovery btwn starts..at least its so far so good ..

By: Metsie

Metsie — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:36:58 +0000

It’s not a bad idea but I still think pitching him every 6th day instead of every 5 might be better off early in the season.

The issue really isn’t how much rest Johan gets though.
The problem is going to be him pushing things he should not push because he is one of those all out type of guys!

He’s less likely to get injured because he doesn’t get proper rest as he is for trying to throw a 95+ Fastball he really shouldn’t be doing just yet!

By: Mr North Jersey

Mr North Jersey — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:06:17 +0000

This.

By: trs86

trs86 — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:57:02 +0000

Also depends on the schedule. Can they get him some starts in warmer weather locations?

By: Donal

Donal — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:34:42 +0000

Ya, I also think and extended Spring Training is in his future.

By: stick

stick — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:05:07 +0000

This is one of the things that will just work itself out in ST, and you really can’t decide now. Entirely possible he just isn’t fully ready, and will need the extra 3 weeks or so back in PSL to finish getting ready.

But, if he is “normal” coming out of ST, might as well use him.

By: srt

srt — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:47:45 +0000

I have not problem leaving Santana behind for the first few weeks.
In fact, I fully expect them to. I’m in the camp of I’ll be surprised if he’s really ready for opening day.

By: Russell Zanca

Russell Zanca — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:40:54 +0000

I think he’s been out of baseball for quite some time now. If he’s “repaired” and fit, why keep him shelved. The 2012 Mets will need every bit of help they can get. Remember all the babying of Martinez, it never paid off. If Santana is a fragile mess, then the sooner we know the better.

I see no reason to make him pitch seven or more innings in the early going, but either he’s ready to pitch like an elite starter again, or his contribution to the Mets might be minimal overall. I would definitely restrict his pitch counts during April, but I want to see what he gives us.