|
|
|
At ESPN.com, Jayson Stark breaks down various spring training subjects including the biggest story lines, best off-season trades and crowning, as he called it, the “Checkbook Champs.”
In regards to the “Most Intriguing Spring Stories” in the NL, Stark 
(along with 22 “baseball wise men”) voted Santana-mania as number one:
“When last we saw the Mets in September, they were freeing the ‘64 Phillies from their seemingly endless Worst Collapse of All Time purgatory. So even if Johan Santana doesn’t go undefeated, strike out 398 or have a 1.04 ERA, at least he’ll help the Mets change the subject. Might have been worth all the aggravation just for that.”
As for the most improved team in the NL, the Mets took the top spot as voted by Stark and the wise men:
“Here’s how much of a difference maker Johan Santana is: Before the Mets traded for him, they were viewed as one of the National League teams that had done the least to get better this winter. But drop the best pitcher of his time into this mix, and people start changing that tune, faster than you can say, “Whatever happened to Deolis Guerra?” Can one player really make that much of a difference? Sure. When he’s this player. Heck, the Twins went 105-47 when Santana started over the past five years (and only 335-323 when he didn’t). So the Mets might go undefeated when he’s out there.”
And the checkbook champs are (insert drum roll) … the Yankess … the Mets were voted second.
…this is very fun read that touches on some pretty good topics…it definitely signals that spring training is here and gets you pumped for the weeks ahead…
 |
 |
 |
RSS 2.0 Both comments and pings are currently closed.
“the Twins went 105-47 when Santana started over the past five years (and only 335-323 when he didn’t)”
That is an incredible statistic that I have never seen before. The twins were basically a .500 team without Santana over the past 5 seasons. With him, they were a playoff contender every year. He is going to be HUUUUUGE for the Mets this year especially in the NL.
Also consider that the Twins were near or at the bottom of nearly all offensive categories during that time as well. Aside from Torii Hunter, Joe Mauer, and Justin Morneau, they really had no bats in their lineup.
In other words, yes, he really is that good.
I just sent that stat to a bunch of my friends… i was about to come say the very same things you did.
awesome. just. awesome.
Wow, I cannot wait to see Santana pitch, or for baseball to finally start.
http://www.bigapplesports.net
I really enjoyed reading Stark’s article, that is until I got to the last sentence under the catogory: Event that best summed up the offseason (Non-Mitchell Division)
“The Yankees and Red Sox spend the entire offseason talking to the Twins about Johan Santana. Then neither of them trades for him. What’s baseball coming to, anyway?”
Is it me or did the Yankees and Red Sox spend the entire offseason saying that they were NOT interested in trading away their prospects for Santana?
Did it only dawn on Matt that the Mets were really the frontrunners from the start?
yes bc matt is in the .01% of members of the media that do not hate the mets.
I realize signing the extension was critical to getting the Santana deal done, but considering the Mets did not sign a single free-agent I think “checkbook champs” is a little unwarranted. The Yankees are well-deserving, for bidding against themselves for ridiculous deals for ARod, Posada, and Rivera…but not the Mets.
***I do realize we did re-sign Castillo, Anderson, and some lower-end guys like Wise…but the big additions were via trade while we let big salaries like Glavine, LoDuca, and Green walk….
I think they got it right. Other than the Yankees, how many other 100+ Million Dollar contracts did other teams give away? None.
whoever is willing to sign kyle lohse to a 3-4 yr deal worth around 11 per year should be given that award as money is obviously not a concern to that team.
105-47………Wow!!!!! Our Offense may improve on that a bit
Gavin Floyd and Nick Masset are currently out of options for the Chicago White Soxs and one of them would be facing waivers if they didn’t break camp. As I remember, Gavin Floyd was a highly touted pitching prospect with the Phillies but then dealt in the Freddy Garcia trade. Nick Masset came out of the Rangers system and was traded to the White Soxs as well. He was part of a package that brought Brandon McCarthy to Texas. Both are 25 years old. I wouldn’t mind bringing either one of these young pitchers and filling in the minor league stock with Humber and Mulvey gone. Anyone have thoughts or more insight on them?
Floyd has talent, but never put it together with the Phils (although to be fair, they cut bait on him at age 21/22). If he clicks, could be a great find.
Someone like this instantly replaces Humber on the depth chart. Still looking to prove himself (although Floyd has a fair amount of ML time I think), about the same age. And he could fill in immediately if needed.
At least he is young and has upside.
Good post Stickguy, I agree. Personally, I find Gavin Floyd is even more intriguing in that if he does indeed pan out … what a way it would be to stick it to the Phillies. I would take either though, any scenario where we are refilling the minor league system with adequate talent and upside, I am all for it.
I completely forgot about Kosuke Fukudome. It feels like years ago there were posts on this board about bringing him in to be our right fielder.
The Times article was cool. “Time stood still at 10:40 when Johan…” He is a legend and He is ours.
Thanks Omar/Wilpon
Long read. Wow. If Felix Hernandez and Bedard are the best combination in the AL, then Santana and Pedro has to be the best in the NL. Webb and Haren are good, but neither have been as good as Johan or Pedro (in his better days).
interesting point. although on their depth chart it’s webb/johnson. either way, i agree with you. 57 is going to be huge for us, and if pedro (is healthy and) can pitch well (be smart about where he locates and what he throws) and not worry about blowing people away, then i think we will be in VERY good shape.
I agree that Webb and Haren are close in talent to Johan and Pedro but our guys have longer, more established successful careers thus far. Both tandems will be forces to be reckoned with as long as (knock on wood) Pedro stays healthy all season long.
I agree with the point many posts above about the money that came off our books with Glavine, LoDuca, and Green gone. We now have an inexpensive Church, a moderately priced Schneider and Santana to replace Glavine’s salary this year. Didnt we offer Glavine 13 mil or so and he turned it down? Thank God Glavine went back to where he belongs. Never wanted him as a Met at any point. Anyway to get back on track, (sorry I get very angry thinking about Glavine), my point is to agree with the above post that we shouldnt be #2 on the “checkbook” list. We filled in the holes we had and roughly have the same payroll this year. Maybe a few million more for Johan than Glavine but I think Schneider is making less than LoDuca would have if I’m not mistaken? Eitherway it was a no-brainer trade that had to be done and the contract was also something that was necessary to get him. We have larger revenue now and the Wilpons spent a little. Good for them. Now I just hope we replace Delgado with Texiera next year and re-sign Pedro and Perez. With a very inexpensive, young F-Mart in LF to replace Alou and Delgado off the books after this year we should have enough cash to get Texiera. The Yanks and Sox may drive the bidding very high though especially after realizing they made a mistake and not didnt trade for Santana. The Mets had to have upset Steinbrenner by getting him and the press along with the trade.
Sorry guys but the Stark article got me going on a rant. Dont want the Mets to see that and be pressured into not spending next offseason. Doubt they will let it affect their thought process though. Again, sorry for my long post.