Johan’s Hundred Million Dollar Dream: Writer To Mets–The Future Is Now

Major league pitching is one of the most blind faith positions there is in sports. For a player who plays once every five games, a lot of talk usually surrounds them as saviors. But can one player really be that much of a tide turner? One of the senior writers at MLB.com, Jonathan Mayo, talked to MLB Trade Rumors about that same issue, but this time with Johan Santana as the Moses parting the New York Mets’ sea of fortunes. The reason why he’s not in Met pinstripes already, it seems, is that the team isn’t giving in to the Twins’ demands for one of the New York’s most prized possessions, Fernando Martinez. So the question lingers–is he worth it?

I think Martinez has the chance to be a very special player, but it could take several years for him to reach that potential. I’d love to see him become a star in New York, but I think the Mets would have to consider dealing him if they felt that Santana is the piece they need to get over the hump and back to the World Series.

Besides, who says it’d be for just one year of Santana. I think that any of the teams who have been rumored to be in the Santana hunt would make a serious run at re-upping Johan for several years after 2008.

Win now or win later? We say that it’d be crazy not to trade away some future components (and not Jose Reyes) for Santana. But what do we know? We also thought the Mets were a playoff lock last season, and look what happened there. Third worst ERA in the bigs during that stretch, and the brass is questioning getting arguably the best pitcher in baseball for some maybes? Some checks just write themselves.
Mayo On Fernando Martinez and Johan Santana [MLB Trade Rumors]
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