Quotes: from Santana Conference
Johan Santana, on adjusting to New York City, during today’s press conference at Shea Stadium…
“Well, It’s all about learning, It’s a learning process. I’m gonna take my time. I’m not gonna rush, I think the game is the same.v You know, the atmosphere does change but I’m not gonna let that effect what I do on the field. I’m gonna have a good time out there. You know, of course I’m gonna have so many questions for the players and my teammates, try to find out & figure out how things work here in New York. But I’m gonna go one step at a time, try to take things very easy as far as going out there. It’ll be an adjustment. I’ll take my time.”
Mets GM Omar Minaya talked with WFAN’s Mike and the Maddog after the event. He was asked if Fernando Martinez was a deal-breaker, to which he responded…
“Pelfrey and Martinez were the two players we wanted keep through this whole process…The Twins said Gomez had to be in the deal and that Jose Reyes would have gotten the deal done from day one. But I told them from day one, Reyes would not be in the deal.”
Later in the interview, Mike Francesa asked Minaya if he had talked with Pedro Martinez about the deal before he pulled the trigger, to which Minaya responded…
“No, not before, but I did have dinner with Pedro two nights ago. He is so excited…He loves the idea…I think Pedro’s gonna take it as a challenge. Great players take it as a challenge, I have no doubt about that…Pedro said one of the reasons Santana wanted to come to the NL is to get a CY Young and have at least one from both leagues. And so, Pedro said, ‘Hey wait a minute.’ So you know this is gonna be competitive.”
