Santana to the Mets...Let's Pray

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 02:09:45 GMT

Back on Christmas Eve I composed a Met's Wish list you can say asking Santa for gifts Met fans everywhere would rejoice upon. Well the champagne is on the ice and as soon as Santana inks this deal lets let the party begin as Santa granted us our number one request of Johan Santana. Let's not jump the gun or anything but hopefully this leads to our number 2 wish and of course our number 5 wish on our wish list a World Series trophy. My guess is a contract for 7-8 years in the $140-$160 million dollar range around $20 million a year. You can check out my Saslaw Sport's blog to see some of the contractual issues. From a Mets point of view we will have a solidified ace in his prime for the first time arguably since Tom Seaver. Our rotation which just this morning was considered our biggest hole may now be our strongest point. A rotation that will include Santana, Martinez, Perez, Maine, and either El Duque or Mike Pelfrey is strong 1-5 which the top four pitchers at any given day able to bring ace-material out onto the mound. If Mike Pelfrey were to be the 5th starter El Duque could be utilized out of the bullpen which could lead to longevity for the oft injured pitcher. When the 2008 season begins Santana will be only 29 years old and already a 2 time Cy Young award winner. The Mets gave up in return for Santa Carlos Gomez the highly touted 22 year-old outfielder who has yet to flaunt his skills at the major league level. Phil Humber, Deolis Guerra and Kevin Mulvey, rounded up the pitchers the Mets sent packing to Minnesotta. Humber is the only other Major-League ready prospect who after being drafted by the Mets in the first round of the 2004 draft was side-tracked by Tommy John surgery and passed in the Mets farm system by Mike Pelfrey.

Dear Santa

Mon, 24 Dec 2007 18:07:15 GMT

Dear Santa,

As a Met fan for my entire life there has been one thing that has continually escaped me; a World Series trophy. Last year was supposed to be our year, the wonderful people in the marketing department even told us, "Our year has come," but they too were wrong. The following is a short list of gifts that us Met fans would like for Christmas well knowing we have behaved ourselves all year in that no current Met was on the naughty list of the Mitchell Report:

1) Johan Santana- It makes too much sense not to happen. He wants to pitch in the National League for a team that will be able to afford his price. With the new Stadium a year around the corner and ticket sales expecting to approach astronomical numbers along with playing in New York that shouldn't be much of a burden for the Wilpon family. Not to mention he's the best pitcher in the Major Leagues, bar none.

2) A No Hitter- As Met fans none of us have seen this feat accomplished in blue and orange. Sure Nolan Ryan went on to be the most prolific at this task, Tom Seaver, and David Cone were able to get their's after their rein with the Mets but it seems like every year we are so close. Whether it be Tom Glavine, or John Maine, or Pedro Martinez it didn't matter a ball would find its way past an infielder for a hit. Maybe this is the trigger we need to propel us a no-no.

3) Jose Reyes- Apparently Jose Reyes went missing the last month of the season. We would like for him to be returned to us. The speedy, flashy shortstop with the rocket arm and the smile that was destined for New York billboards disappeared last September. Instead we had a shortstop that lacked his signature hustle, and smile and led the team towards it's historic collapse.

4) Willie Randolph- Along with our shortstop our manager's mind was seemingly M.I.A the last month of the season. ESPN the magazine did a good job of putting Willie's quotes in sequence to note the spiral down of our season.

Randolph on September 18 after a loss, with a 1.5 game lead…

“When we sip the champagne later, it’ll be that much sweeter.”

Randolph on September 23 after a win, with a 2.5 game lead…

“We get a chance to go home and celebrate with our fans.”

Randolph on September 27 after a loss, tied for the division lead…

“Now we start over. It’s a new season. We start from scratch. We’re gonna win this. We are gonna win this.”

Randolph on September 30 after a loss, losing the division to the Phillies…

“This is just a tough life lesson in baseball.”

Not to mention Randolph's inability to handle our rotation or bullpen down the home stretch

5) A World Series Trophy- Please Santa it's been 21 years now without one and were still waiting patiently. It'd be a fitting way to close out our history at Shea Stadium if we could fly one more flag claiming us champions.

Merry Christmas,

Justin

20 Years in the Making...

Santana to the Mets...Let's Pray

Dear Santa