Mets Draw an Ace, May Hold All the Cards

There’s a new King in Queens with the Mets acquiring left-handed ace Johan Santana from the Minnesota Twins yesterday in exchange for four prospects. Of course, the deal is contingent on a contract extension, but we’ll assume that happens, because if you’re the Mets, you’re not making a deal like this without committing to Santana on a lucrative, long-term deal (like six years, $150 million). Let’s look at the winners and losers in the wake of the Santana trade.

The Winners

The New York Mets (obviously) – Santana is the best pitcher in the game, having recorded at least 15 wins and 235 strikeouts for four consecutive seasons, the second longest such streak off all-time. And they got him without having to give up Jose Reyes, David Wright, or Carlos Delgado.

The Cleveland Indians – Now with Santana out of the division, the Indians have the two best pitchers in the A.L. Central with C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona. Plus their line-up is back in tact, with Grady Sizemore, Victor Martinez, and Ryan Garko leading the charge. If anyone but Cleveland emerges from the Central, it will be a surprise.

The Boston Red Sox – While they didn’t land the big fish in the pond, they held on to their own prospects. Plus, Santana didn’t end up with the Evil Empire, as once feared.

The New York Yankees – Ditto the Boston Red Sox.

The Losers

The Minnesota Twins (obviously) –This is a team that once traded A.J. Pierzynski for three prospects – Francisco Liriano, Joe Nathan, and Boof Bonser – and that turned out pretty well for the Twins. But this is the second All-Star to flee Minnesota this off-season with Torii Hunter signing for big dollars in Anaheim . Liriano is coming off on Tommy John surgery, so his effectiveness is a huge question mark. Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau, while both fine players, aren’t carrying this team.

The Philadelphia Phillies – The 2007 N.L. East champs continue to squabble with Ryan Howard over his contract, sign mid-level free agents (see “Feliz, Pedro”) in an attempt to replace the production of the departed Aaron Rowand, and convince everyone that they’re comfortable reporting to Clearwater with a rotation of Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Kyle Kendrick, Jamie Moyer and Adam Eaton. Their biggest rival, meanwhile, just acquired a Cy Young winner who will head their rotation for the next 6-7 years. This is not a good development for the Fightin’ Phils.