Today, the Mets may have ended the Phils' reign as NL East Champs with one move. The Mets have finally filled the void in their rotation by picking up the ace they have so desperately craved. The best pitcher in baseball, Johan Santan, is heading to the Big Apple.
I am officially worried.
I tried to justify it to myself by figuring that Santana is pretty much just replacing Tom Glavine, who did have a decent year for the Mets (13-8, 4.45 ERA). Over a course of a season, could Santana really add that much more to the Mets to make this deal a substantial improvement for them?
The more and more I think about it. The answer to the above question is a resounding "YES". Not only will Santana likely win 10 more games with an ERA about runs per game less than what Glavine did last year, but he'll pitch more innings, which will save the Mets bullpen (which was severely over worked in September) over the course of the season. Plus, as we've seen with Hamels recently and Schill over the years, a legit ACE of the staff can halt losing streaks and win big games throughout the year. They just bring a certain aura with them to the mound that makes everyone play better. (ACES are also worth their weight in gold during the postseason, but I suppose that's something to worry about at a later date.) This move also takes the pressure off Pedro, Oliver Perez and John Maine. They are now slotted in spots in the rotation which fit their current skill sets better.
Sorry guys, the more I think about it, I believe the Mets may have won themselves a division today. They were already heading into the season with a chip on their shoulder coming off their September choke job, but now they have a weapon in their arsenal that they haven't had in recent years. Yes, it sure seems that Phils are playing for a Wild Card berth at best this year.
Jeez, I'm quite the killjoy, huh?
I am officially worried.
I tried to justify it to myself by figuring that Santana is pretty much just replacing Tom Glavine, who did have a decent year for the Mets (13-8, 4.45 ERA). Over a course of a season, could Santana really add that much more to the Mets to make this deal a substantial improvement for them?
The more and more I think about it. The answer to the above question is a resounding "YES". Not only will Santana likely win 10 more games with an ERA about runs per game less than what Glavine did last year, but he'll pitch more innings, which will save the Mets bullpen (which was severely over worked in September) over the course of the season. Plus, as we've seen with Hamels recently and Schill over the years, a legit ACE of the staff can halt losing streaks and win big games throughout the year. They just bring a certain aura with them to the mound that makes everyone play better. (ACES are also worth their weight in gold during the postseason, but I suppose that's something to worry about at a later date.) This move also takes the pressure off Pedro, Oliver Perez and John Maine. They are now slotted in spots in the rotation which fit their current skill sets better.
Sorry guys, the more I think about it, I believe the Mets may have won themselves a division today. They were already heading into the season with a chip on their shoulder coming off their September choke job, but now they have a weapon in their arsenal that they haven't had in recent years. Yes, it sure seems that Phils are playing for a Wild Card berth at best this year.
Jeez, I'm quite the killjoy, huh?
5 comments:
He's still got to prove that he can handle the pressure of playing in NYC. Being in Minnesota ain't exactly the same setting.
Christ I'm happy he didn't go to the Sox!
Joe Girardi
I like the baseball picture.
Yes, I am worried too.
Yes it is disconcerting, but I wasn't one who just automatically thought the Phillies would be in the playoffs next year, let alone win the division. It was going to be a struggle...again. Last year took the, as now noted, the worst collapse in baseball history for the Phillies to win the division. No one could expect that to just happen again. That is not to take anything from what the Phils did at all. I see the Phils going back to playing decently in the regular season and back to probably not making the playoffs for year and years again UNLESS they get some sort of pitching help.
Now there's a killjoy for you ;-)
Anonymous...who are you? You might be the most well spoken commenter of the year.
Anonymous might respond again if you ever posted a new story.
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