The New York Mets are in rebuilding mode. After six dismal, playoff-less seasons, the once “Amazins” are seeking a way to leave their better-forgotten past behind and move forward, planning for a prosperous future.
But before they can continue their movement towards what they hope will be greener pastures, the Mets must dispose of one more dreadful reminder of their recent failures — left-handed pitching ace Johan Santana.
Acquired by the Mets in 2008 via a trade with the Minnesota Twins, the pitcher was signed to a six-year, $137.5 million contract. At the time, his deal made him the highest-paid pitcher in Major League Baseball. But with the exception of a no-hitter on June 1st of the 2012 season (the Mets’ first and only no-hitter in franchise history), Santana’s five-year tenure in Queens has been an utter disappointment.
This disappointment is in huge contrast to his reign with the Twins. During eight years in Minnesota, Santana won nearly 68 percent of his games pitched with an earned run average (ERA) of 3.22 and an average of 173 strikeouts per year. He won the Cy Young Award in 2004 and 2006, winning the pitching Triple Crown in the latter with a league-leading 19 wins, 254 strikeouts and a 2.77 ERA.
However, his performance has dipped dramatically since joining the Mets. His strikeouts have fallen from a stellar 9.5 per nine innings with the Twins to 7.6. The most concerning — and devastating — part about Santana’s time in New York has been his inability to stay healthy. Since an outstanding debut season (in which he eclipsed 200 innings for the fifth consecutive year, winning 16 games and posting a league-leading 2.53 ERA), the four-time All-Star has battled injury after injury.
In 2009 and 2010, Santana failed to start 30 games for the first time in his career since becoming a full-time starter for the Twins (in 2004). He missed the entire 2011 season recovering from a September 2010 shoulder surgery.
His return from the injury last season was telling. His ERA rose to 4.85 — the worst of his career — and he walked three batters per nine innings — also the worst of his career as a full-time starter. His season was then cut short for the fourth straight season after just 21 starts.
The Mets have failed to make the playoffs in each of Santana’s five seasons with the team. Money for his deal has obviously not been money well spent as it is unlikely that the soon-to-be 34-year-old pitcher will fare much better in 2013. While other big money busts (like outfielders Carlos Beltran and Jason Bay) have been disposed of, Santana is the last remaining blunder of an embarrassing era in Mets baseball. With the team striving to get younger, they must find a way to unload him.
According to the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo, New York would love to move him. Unfortunately, they would have to eat a good chunk of the remaining $31 million on his contract and convince him to waive his no-trade clause. They aren’t likely to get much in return, but they should do all they can to deal him to a team that sees a need for the former All-Star in their starting rotation.
Many of the Mets’ recent moves have been to gather young prospects to bolster the hopes of success in the long term. As great a leader as Santana has been when healthy enough to play, the team must part ways with him to strengthen their — and the fans’ — focus on the future.
Louis Musto is a contributor to the Sports Journey Broadcast Network. You can follow him on Twitter @LouisMusto.