Could the Mets Steal Johan Santana?
The Yankees and the Twins have begun talks about a trade that could send Johan Santana to the Bronx. The Yankees would have to give up one of their "Big Three" pitchers-Joba Chamberlain, Ian Kennedy, or Philip Hughes. Other teams, including the Mets, have also expressed interest in Santana.
The New York Post's Mark Hale reports that the Mets have an interest in Santana, even if the Wilpons haven't openly expressed it. The deal would not include Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, or David Wright and the Mets would want a 72-hour negoitiation window. A deal involving Carlos Gomez may work out now that Torii Hunter has signed with the Angels. The Twins' need for a solid outfielder is certainly as great as our need for pitching. However, I don't see the Mets parting with Gomez so easily, even for Johan Santana. Personally, anybody that they say is faster than Jose Reyes is somebody I want on my team.
I don't see Johan Santana as a Met...this year. When Santana's contract expires in 2008, I could see the Mets being major players. With the money from Citi Field, it certainly wouldn't be a problem paying for him. If we need to trade for a starting pitcher, we should call up the Athletics and talk about Dan Haren or Joe Blanton. Even acquiring Eric Bedard from the Orioles would be more realistic, even though I don't see the Orioles trading their only player that is worth a second look. We need pitching; Omar needs to wait for the right deal and he is doing the right thing by not dealing out prospects left and right.
Comments
Yeah Jessicas, it's Erik Bedard. Would you rather have Joey Gathright on your team than Jose Reyes? Joe Gathright is a speed demon.
Posted by: Tyler | November 27, 2007 03:31 PM
So what if Gomez is faster than Reyes? It doesnt mean anything if he cant hit. I didnt see anything in his short stint that made me say "Wow he looks good with the bat". If he can't hit, it doesnt matter how fast he can run. It would be one thing if he were a great Defensive SS or Catcher, but he's an outfielder. OF need to hit, or they find new careers. I would trade Gomez for Johan in a second. They can have Pelfrey if they want too.
Posted by: Nosh | November 27, 2007 03:56 PM
I agree man...lets not trade the house away for a guy who is only going to be here for a year. This year nail down Blanton, or Bedard.
Posted by: gregga19 | November 27, 2007 04:01 PM
If we get Johan there locking him up long term. He won't be a rent a player to whatever team trades for him.
Posted by: Nosh | November 27, 2007 04:05 PM
The same thing with Gomez happened with Reyes when he first came up. We wanted to trade him for Aubrey Huff. Give Gomez time; he'll be better than Reyes.
Posted by: Jessica DeMattia | November 27, 2007 04:06 PM
Some of you are insane to thing that Sanatana only has one year. OPEN YOUR EYES... Santana said he will only approve a trade if it comes with a 5-6 year extension. Whoever gets him, has him for at least 6 years!!!
Posted by: nick | November 27, 2007 04:36 PM
I can't believe I'm saying this but trading for Santana without a long-term guarantee is out of the question. And if we Mets fans take a realistic look at our position we know damn well we don't have the the same calibre attractive young players and/or minor leaguers as the competition in the Johan sweepstakes.
Pelfrey, Humber and Gomez pale against any serious offer the Yanks, Dodgers & Red Sox could put on the table.
If I was Omar Id stay in the game to drive the price up and then concentrate on Bedard or one of the Oakland starters on the block.
Posted by: Ron Mel | November 27, 2007 04:39 PM
Please don't compare Gomez to Reyes. Reyes had a 20 + game hit streak during his intitial season with the mets (2003). And he hit .300 from July on that year. Ohh yeh and he plays SS. Don't compare the 2. The only thing they have in common is that there both fast.
Posted by: nosh | November 27, 2007 05:31 PM
And for the love of God stop saying Johan is a 1 year guy. WHOEVER TRADES FOR HIM IS GOING TO SIGN HIM LONG TERM BEFORE THE TRADE IS COMPLETE!!!!
P.S. Bedard will cost just as much in terms of prospects as Santana. Look at his numbers and age last year. The kid is a beast. And hes Lefty, and hes not a free agent for a few more years. Someone needs to make a blog called REALISTICMETFAN.COM
Posted by: nosh | November 27, 2007 05:35 PM
please taked johan santana
Posted by: hector | November 27, 2007 05:47 PM
yea, well do you want to be the day before the trading deadline without any trades, and be able to say "oo, we still have milledge and gomez, blaaahhh". I want to win now, and if we were to keep at least one of gomez/milledge/f.mart trio id be happy 4 our future still
Posted by: Lenny | November 27, 2007 06:43 PM
I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU.. Gomez might not have had the avg in the Majors last year, but don't let it fool you guys. If you look @ his track record he was always one of the youngest @ each level and started out slow..only later in the season to make huge strides and the Mets kept challenging him by moving him up.. only to see more improvements. Gomez can hit, and WILL HIT this year. I am ALL FOR DAN HAREN or if it comes to it Joe Blanton would be nasty in the NL. Beane Loves Milledge. A deal for Haren surrounding Milledge and Mets got a GREAT shot. Look @ his age and contract and last year compare his numbers to Johans. You hit this blog right on. Keep up the great work!
Posted by: Brian | November 28, 2007 10:39 AM
A lot of other teams have better prospects to trade, but either A.lack the depth to replace them on the field, or B.they dont have the money to give them both
IF the Yanks pull out of the deal, and refuse to part with their guys...look for the Mets to make their offer w/prospects, get rebuffed, then come back with
Ollie [goes right in as their #2], Gomez/Lmilz [starting CF], Gotay[platoon 2B/3B-yes, he fits as a starter for a small market], + Smith/Muniz/Kunz/Burgos[potential low cost closer replacement]. Now the Twinkies can field a full team, under their control for for a while, and cheap. Can trade both Garza/slowey[for young/jackson/quentin/laroche/loney], and Nathan[for SP/RP/OF, brewers?], to completely re-tool and revamp, while lowering the salary for the better part of the next decade.
We have 2 advantages
1-a large pool of good prospects with ML experience
2-enough money to pay Santana the contract he wants, so he wont veto the trade
#2 is huge, bc it doesnt matter that the D'backs or LAD have a ton of prospects...if they cant pay for his contract, he will veto the trade, or atleast that is what his agent said, so who knows.
A trade with the Mets opens a whole new avenue bc we can supply a stop-gap IF, a #2 SP to allow them to move garza/slowey, and a young-potential closer so the can deal Nathan.
Anything more than 3 prospects would be getting out of hand, and I would not trade BOTH gomez and LMilz...i really feel we will regret trading Gomez.
BTW-he is 22 y/o, played 1/2 a season in AA skipped AAA entirely, and he still help his own in the ML...thats nasty
Posted by: whatdatmean | November 28, 2007 01:24 PM