I found this great photo set of Johan Santana originally posted on Flickr by MetsGrrl.

...so good.
Only other 90+ wins needed and we're there! I thought we were solid, without needing to be any more than that. And given what happened last time we played the fish, I am happy to settle for that. David Wright looks like he's starting this season in exactly the same way as he started last - continuing a hitting streak. Long may the doubles continue!

Allen Barra of The Village Voice thinks so.

The Mets and Yankees Seek an Armed Revolution

How Joba Chamberlain and Johan Santana will make us forget last year's miserable baseball legacy.

Money Quote...

"Santana's six-year, $137.5 million contract, the richest ever for a pitcher, will be cheap at the price if the Mets win the pennant and—here's your late-season homemade sign at Shea—erase the disgrace. The money the Mets save from Verizon alone in those calls to the bullpen should take the sting out of his paycheck."

http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0813,armed-revolution,389214,1.html/ful...

After a rough first couple of weeks in spring training things are finally looking up for the Mets. John Maine threw four no-hit innings a couple of days ago. Johan Santana blanked the Red Sox yesterday. The Carloses, Delgado and Beltran, returned to action yesterday.

I found this video today. It was my first look at Johan Santana in a Mets uniform.

It’s all Johan Santana on this episode. The Mets have acquired the best free agent pitcher on the market. The cost in dollars is high but he’s worth it if this gets the Mets to a World Series win.

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Here is the audio from yesterday's Johan Santana press conference courtesy of WFAN.

Chalk one up for Omar Minaya. He as made the deal that many teams wanted to make in acquiring Johan Santana.

From The New York Times report:

"In exchange for Santana, the Mets are surrendering four young players: outfielder Carlos Gómez and pitchers Philip Humber, Deolis Guerra and Kevin Mulvey. Each is considered a solid prospect but none are judged to be outright can’t-miss players."

I can live with that. There are a couple of more hurdles before the deal is finalized according to the Times' report.

"The trade hinges on Santana’s passing a physical exam and agreeing to a contract extension before a 72-hour window expires at 5 p.m. Friday."

Word is that Mr. Johan is looking to get $20-25 million per for 6 to 7 years. Ouch! No doubt Omar will have his work cut out for him in those negotiations.

Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports reports:

"They get a pitcher who immediately becomes the best left-hander in their history (sorry, Kooz, El Sid, it's not even close), who'll go back-to-back opening days at Shea Stadium and Citi Field, who'll stand on a mound in late September and stop dead the most horrifying losing streak they'd ever worn."

Santana turns 29 in March so he has at least six more prime seasons left. All in all its a very good move. Sorry to see Humber and Gomez go but the Mets needed someone to at least replace Tom Glavine. The Mets have done that and then some with this trade.

From MLB.com:

"A person with firsthand knowledge of the club's dealings with the Twins acknowledged Tuesday that the Mets have received a "best offer" request of the American League club, an indication perhaps that the Santana trade scenario has moved into its final stage."

From The NY Daily News:

"Mets seem poised to grab Santana - I'm pretty optimistic about the Mets' chances of landing Johan Santana soon, so I figured I'd share this quote I collected at the end of last season from Braves first baseman Mark Teixeira about the ace."

We're getting close to spring training folks. And the Twins know its a risk to have to wait til mid-season to trade Santana. What if he gets hurt? What if he's not pitching so hot? It wouldn't surprise me if the Twins hadn't re-evaluated their requirements for making this trade.

Would you give up Mike Pelfrey for Santana? You have to think that this would cost at least a young pitcher, a position player and a prospect.

Catching up on recent New York Mets news and commentary.

* Tom Glavine Departs
* Lastings Milledge Is Traded
* Luis Castillo is re-signed.
* Mets announce 2008 Schedule
* The Johan Santana pursuit heats up

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