No Downside

what will history remember as the worst photo shop tribute ever? An early entry.


The Mets got one hell of a hitter to plug into the 9 hole, huh? It's been quite a while since I thought this picture was appropriate. But here it is:









Huddled around our monitors for the whole winter, we now can now joyously commence recycling the Santana saga breathlessly. Of course as Jaap warns, this is the Mets we're talking about, so anything's possible and until it's official we shouldn't get too exuberant.

Of course to blow the deal at this stage would be something like, oh, I dunno, blowing a huge fucking lead over the Phillies in a late-season tailspin, an historic collapse, the likes of which has been rarely duplicated in the history of baseball.

Even taking that into account, it is hard to come up with much to write that isn't just "holy funking whoopdie wow!" in so many words. As Mets fans walk, Yo-han in hand, towards the promised land, the rest of the world dissects this trade and the outlook is not good for the Twins. Personally, I have seen how hard it is to get even value for a superstar, let alone one who has contractual leverage. And I think Gomez is going to be one hell of a player, though I admit he is looking a little Escobar-y in the morning light. If the Twins, no slouches in the player development game, allow him to develop properly, I think they have a talented youngster on their hands who brings real electricity to the ball park. Really, he's got charisma. Also, the Twins have never done me any wrong. I'm at peace with the whole thing.

Back to lolling my eyes over JS's stats. Sweet lord.



"Mmm. Tastes like I'm getting more AAA seasoning!"

Today, our glass is definitely half-full rather than the usual half-empty. You will almost never see pitchers of this stature hit the open market. And trading for them, well. Omar reportedly came close to landing Oswalt a few years back. Almost. The rotation is now chock full of awesomeness, perhaps taking the pressure off of the Pelf of the future. We got some light's out youngsters anchoring the offense, and some future stars in the middle of the rotation where they belong, sometimes aided by a few WHA's (When Healthy Awesomes). We got an interesting story to watch in right. We got a dirty Sanchez seemingly almost ready to be honored again. We got us some Marlon and Endy off the bench when miracles are in order. I am farting sunshine.

As the media searches for a storyline, Metsfans' feelings will take a bit more of a beating. The Klap, for instance, wants to make this another sloppy seconds thing. Perhaps the Beltran saga fit, but the narrative that "the Mets have the Spanks to thank" rings false as hell. It's like another movie featuring an screenwriter with writer's block. I wouldn't say this trade was inevitable, not in a world where the Angels, they who put the Los Angeles in Anaheim, exist to swoop in on unsuspecting GMs and snatch their prey. No.

But the structure of the trade market just happened to work in the Mets' favor. No one in their right mind could actually afford to pony up the cash for an extension, leaving the Mets, Sawx, and Spanks. The Sawx didn't "need" YoHands. Arguably, the baseball gods could not allow Boston to obtain Santana. And the Yankers, who honestly could've used him, have run up against fiscal reality. Ca$hman wants to put his chips on cheap young pitchers and who can blame him, his team loaded as it is with expensive, aging, 'roided out superstars and other future Congressional testifiers?

Sure, our boys still have to play the games and all. And grow a heart. But chances look better than ever that the rats at Shea will enjoy one last World Series before they have to pack up their cheese and move to Citifield.

Now, if the Mets could just pry Scott K*zmir away from the Rays.

***

No matter where you are, things are slower in Palm Beach:

Poll: The New York Mets have reached an agreement to acquire Johan Santana from Minnesota, but the Mets must agree to a contract extension by 5 p.m. Friday. Will they get it done in time?

Or just dumber.

***

C.C. Sabathia thinks Johan is the best leftie in the league: "I think I'm not far behind, but I don't think you'll ever get me to say that I'm the best lefty in baseball," Sabathia said.

***
Ouch, John Donovan, Ouch!

Johan Santana's impending trade to the Mets will be, when and if it's consummated later this week with a contract extension, the rarest of baseball swaps, one that completely and immediately transforms a team and the balance of power in the league. Let's face it: The Mets, without Santana, are just another NL East schlub. They are a bunch of chuckers without an ace, a collection of hitters who cease to hit at the most inopportune times, all marched around by a sometimes stone-mugged manager who presided last year over one of the most embarrassing nosedives in baseball history.

***
Ouch, Bud Selig, Ouchier!

Umpires are livid that Major League Baseball has sent investigators to their hometowns, asking neighbors a series of questions that include whether the ump belongs to the Ku Klux Klan.

Representatives of the Atlanta organization didn't see what the big fuss was about.

***

Oh Now it's on.