I'm surprised no one talked about this today. 17 Ks. Another amazing performance by one of the best in the game. He threw 112 pitches in 8 innings. He also struck out 6 of the last 7 he faced. It just doesn't make sense to me why they didn't let him finish the 9th. The only reason I can think of is that he's put himself on a shitlist for saying he might want to leave Minnesota. EDIT: Pitch count shouldn't really matter since they aren't seriously in the hunt for the wild card. That's why I didn't even bother to consider it.
Either that or they thought that 112 pitches was enough. Who knows. It is some accomplishment, Santana for me is the best pitcher in the majors.
He's not going to win the Cy Young, and it'll be a shame. It'll be just like 2005, when he got robbed blind. 2.87 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 238 Ks against 45 walks. But they give it to fat wreck Bartolo Colon because he had 20 wins.
That just doesn't make sense to me though. They won't be in the postseason, so there's no reason to preserve his arm. Agreed. Agreed.
hopefully the twins let him walk rather then deal him because that's the only way the mets are going to have a shot at him.
I'd settle for the Mets dealing for Johan's right testicle. Then we'll sign Jenny Finch, impregnate her with Johan's seed, and wait about 20 years for our new super-pitcher. I think we'll name him Sidd. Sidd Santana-Finch.
I'd give both of mine, plus the pinky on both hands. Seriously, if there is any way for the Yankees to get him without giving up Jeter, ARod, Cabrera, Hughes or Chamberlain, I'd pull the trigger in a heartbeat. ANYONE else is available IMO.
FWIW Buster Olney suggests the Mets as a prospective partner for a deal this offseason or next season. It's on Insider so I can't access it but metsblog has a post up about the article.
No. But not injury-related or anything. They were just saying how he basically "said goodnight" to everyone when leaving the field after the eighth. He knew he wasn't going back out. From the game recap on the Twins' site:
Wow what a level headed guy, thats a trait you dont see in many people of his calibre. My opinion of him has just inflated.
If he is not traded, he will become a free-agent after the 2008 season. Now, the Yankees will be in excellent position to pursue him as a FA at the time. The Yankees could potentially have Hughes, Chamberlain, and Ian Kennedy in the rotation by then, for a COMBINED $1.2 million. Also, after the 2008 season, Andy Pettitte's contract ($16 mill) expires, as does Mike Mussina's ($12 mill), freeing up almost $30 million. Also, Chien-Ming Wang will still be under his rookie contract I believe. That free's up A LOT of money for the yankees to get into a bidding war over Johan Santana
I've been dreaming about it all season. In no particular order: Santana > Wang > Hughes > Chamberlain > Kennedy.
If the Yankees had that rotation, aswell as all the players living up to there potential, it would be the best rotation in the majors, mayby not straight away but down the line most deffinately
There's only one problem with the logic of waiting until after 2008. If (when) Santana is traded this winter, it's going to cost the buyer a lot. Said team is not going to simply let him walk after next season. Chances are, he'll go to a contender, in a big city that has money. That team will all but surely immediately negotiate an extension. If we want Santana (and who doesn't,) we will have to pay some price this winter. (And better this winter than late July 2008 when his price will hit the ceiling.)
