More On Santana

The Mets have now offered something like five or six of their top prospects, willing to empty out the farm, in order to bring Johan Santana into New York. Of course, if they do, they will still have to sign him to a deal to keep him here. The Twins, however, are asking for more. In addition to all the prospects, they want Jose Reyes.

I have to admit, I am confused. Now, I know I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer and I know Santana is certainly worthy of Major League talent, but the Twins request makes no sense to me. Why are the Twins looking to get rid of Santana? Is it because they feel he is past him prime? Not worth the money that he will be getting? Overrated?

The answer to all those questions are “No!” They are looking to trade him because they know next year, as a small market team, they will not be able to sign him as a free agent because they do not have the money to compete with the larger market clubs. Therefore, smaller market teams trade the players before they get the unreasonable contracts, for younger talent that can fill the void and in a few years will be just as good, if not better than what was traded away.

With that in mind, why would a team look to acquire a player the likes of Jose Reyes? It is true that he won’t get the same money as Santana, but the Mets signed him to a hefty contract a couple of years ago. If they have the money to keep Reyes, then, nothing against Jose, they should use it to sign Santana.

I am beginning to think it is not the Mets who are playing games with their fans, dangling the carrot of Santana in front of them. I think it is the Twins who are playing games with the Mets (and maybe all the other teams as well). If the Mets can get him, great, if not, they need to find another pitcher.