Well, if anyone laughed at the New York Mets for losing thirteen game and 303 game winner Tom Glavine, it looks like the Metropolitans are going to have the last laugh. It was announced late last night that the Mets have agreed to a deal to acquire Minnesota Twins ace pitcher Johan Santana, whose career record is 93-44, with a sparking 3.22 ERA..
When Tom Glavine returned to the Atlanta Braves in mid November, that was a huge loss for the Mets. Now, if the Santana deal is completed, the Mets rotation of Santana, Pedro Martinez, John Maine, and Orlando Hernandez is downright scary. If Pedro is healthy, you have two potential 20 game winners in the numbers one and two spots in the Mets rotation. John Maine is an excellent pitcher, and El Duque Hernandez, however old he is, can still get batters out. This isn't even mentioning young Mike Pelfrey, who is also solid.
As one matches up the Braves and Mets, the two likely top contenders of the NL East, it is a tough call when it comes to the pitching. Depending upon how manager Randolph structures the rotation after Santana. One would have to think that Santana and Martinez at the Mets one and two starters would have the edge over the Braves top two starters, Tim Hudson, and John Smoltz. Mets third starter John Maine has the likely edge over Braves third starter Tom Glavine. Of course, rehabbing Mike Hampton, who has missed nearly three years with two arm surgeries, is a huge question mark as Atlanta's number four starter, and is probably the reason that the Braves chose to re sign Tom Glavine last November. Hampton could give Atlanta 10-15 wins, or nothing. Age could be a factor for both teams, as Martinez and Duque are both over 35, and Smoltz and Glavine are both over 40.
We know that they don't play baseball games on paper, and that in 2003-2005, when the Braves lost Glavine, Maddux, Sheffield, and a whole host of others, they won divisions three years in a row. I do think that the Mets rotation with Santana is downright scary. I will say that if everyone is healthy in Atlanta, and especially if Hampton can pitch at even 50-75% of his former self, the Braves will have a very solid rotation, with two 15-20 game winners in Smoltz, and Hudson, and another 15 game winner in Glavine.
As to who will win the NL East? Well, Philly won last year, and got closer Brad Lidge, who could save 40 games, or who could implode. The Mets might have to be the odds on favorites now, but I think the Braves and Phillies will be right with them.
Any thoughts on the impending Santana deal, and the NL East picture?
Mitch
When Tom Glavine returned to the Atlanta Braves in mid November, that was a huge loss for the Mets. Now, if the Santana deal is completed, the Mets rotation of Santana, Pedro Martinez, John Maine, and Orlando Hernandez is downright scary. If Pedro is healthy, you have two potential 20 game winners in the numbers one and two spots in the Mets rotation. John Maine is an excellent pitcher, and El Duque Hernandez, however old he is, can still get batters out. This isn't even mentioning young Mike Pelfrey, who is also solid.
As one matches up the Braves and Mets, the two likely top contenders of the NL East, it is a tough call when it comes to the pitching. Depending upon how manager Randolph structures the rotation after Santana. One would have to think that Santana and Martinez at the Mets one and two starters would have the edge over the Braves top two starters, Tim Hudson, and John Smoltz. Mets third starter John Maine has the likely edge over Braves third starter Tom Glavine. Of course, rehabbing Mike Hampton, who has missed nearly three years with two arm surgeries, is a huge question mark as Atlanta's number four starter, and is probably the reason that the Braves chose to re sign Tom Glavine last November. Hampton could give Atlanta 10-15 wins, or nothing. Age could be a factor for both teams, as Martinez and Duque are both over 35, and Smoltz and Glavine are both over 40.
We know that they don't play baseball games on paper, and that in 2003-2005, when the Braves lost Glavine, Maddux, Sheffield, and a whole host of others, they won divisions three years in a row. I do think that the Mets rotation with Santana is downright scary. I will say that if everyone is healthy in Atlanta, and especially if Hampton can pitch at even 50-75% of his former self, the Braves will have a very solid rotation, with two 15-20 game winners in Smoltz, and Hudson, and another 15 game winner in Glavine.
As to who will win the NL East? Well, Philly won last year, and got closer Brad Lidge, who could save 40 games, or who could implode. The Mets might have to be the odds on favorites now, but I think the Braves and Phillies will be right with them.
Any thoughts on the impending Santana deal, and the NL East picture?
Mitch
