By Steven Inman
According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Mets have shopped Johan Santana and are willing to pay a good chunk of the money to move him. Santana has a no trade clause and hasn’t gotten much interest by other teams. The idea that the Mets would like to move Santana and the $31 million he is owed in 2013 isn’t surprising but he hasn’t proved he can stay healthy. His last season where he was fully healthy and made every start was 2008, his first in Queens.
Santana, 33, is entering the last year of his six year contract so the Mets are hoping he has a strong first half and then they can flip him at the deadline like they did with Carlos Beltran a few years ago. Santana has a strong track record and could be a nice pitcher in the middle of a rotation for a contender. For that scenario to happen Santana needs to have a good half. Santana has to prove through an entire season he can hold up as he is now competing for his last big payday.
Even if the Mets don’t trade Santana, they need him in the beginning of the season to be the anchor of a young pitching staff if they want to contend in 2013.
The Mets could get something legitimate for him like they did when they acquired Zack Wheeler for a rental player in Beltran two summers ago. The Mets farm system is improved but is still below average and could use more position player help specifically outfielders.
Most people in the Mets organization believe Santana is a goner after 2013 anyway. If he is healthy I think he could have a good season and give the Mets a decent trade chip at the deadline as they look toward the future.
With his contract exoiring, and all the money he is owed, (even if they paid a large chunk of the money) there is no way anyone would give up any one moderately close to Zach Wheeler for this. Nobody wants one year of Santana. His contract is expiring, and he’s still somewhat of a fan favorite. Expect the mets to keep him.
if his contract is expiring and he’s pitching well their will be some kind of market for him. we are still a long way away from that though