Q and A: - Santana, Santana, Santana

Charlie T. writes:



Santana, Santana, Santana. I’ll tell you what, let him get healthy, don't let him pitch this year, and just stick to long tossing. Let’s make sure we get something for the 20 million+ he'll get next year. The rotation going right now is pitching well enough that the Santana issue shouldn't be forced. Hopefully after the all-star break, like what was just written, we get our injured bats healthy, our left fielder back on right track, and our shortstop continuing at a pace that forces management to open up the Citifield vault. However, if this team goes on ANY skid that resembles a 3 and 15 losing clip, sell, sell sell, like the market is about to crash. They must be smart, cold, and calculating. Insuring that 2012 and the twenty teens do not become a dreadful resemblance of the horrible teams that patrolled Shea during most of the nineties.


Mack:


Sounds like a plan.


I wouldn’t pitch Santana this year under any condition. In fact, I’d probably send him home today, let him rest up, and pitch him in winter ball for a month, then bring him to extended camp around Feb 1. Next year’s rotation will be some combination of him, Pelfrey, Niese, Dickey, Gee, and Capuano. My guess is Capuano will be odd man out. Regarding Gee, there may not be a better SP4 or 5 in the league.


What I’m afraid is this team is going to hover at around ½ games below .500 through the trading deadline and they don’t become either buyers or sellers.


Regarding becoming buyers, I’m assuming the revenue woes are for real. This means all you will see are players that have been released by other teams, while at the same time, their salaries are being paid for by their old team. Scott Kazmir would be a perfect example and would give the Mets a LOOGY option.


I’ve said so much about Reyes, but I’m concerned with the Beltran situation. You have to trade him now due to his lack of arbitration option. He will not be a Met next year and you can solve one of the three key areas (RH full time catcher, RFer with pop, pitching AA prospect) this month.