Read: Spring Training 2008 Gets Rolling
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…
