Mets Get Santana From Twins for 4 Prospects

Johan Santana has been traded to the Mets for four prospects, pending the Mets and Santana agreeing to a contract extension. The Mets will send Carlos Gomez, Phil Humber, Deolis Guerra and Kevin Mulvey to Minnesota to complete the deal.

Here's how it breaks down:

The Mets get:
Johan Santana, SP
28 years old
3.22 Career ERA, 93-44 W-L record
$13 million salary in 2007
expected deal: 6-years, $150 million
projected impact: + 5 to 7 wins in the regular season, and a much stronger Mets' post-season rotation.

The Twins get:
Carlos Gomez, OF
22 years old
.232 batting average with Mets in '07
young 5-tool stud
could start for Twins either in '08 or '09

Phil Humber, SP
25 years old
Mets #1 draft pick in 2004
Tommy John surgery in 2005
spent 2007 in AAA
Could crack the Twins' 2008 rotation

Deolis Guerra, SP
18 years old
6'5" 200 lbs.
spent '07 in A ball
A couple of years away from the bigs

Kevin Mulvey, SP
22 years old
2006 2nd round pick
spent '07 in AA
Good control, plus fastball, slider

This is one of those trades that is probably good for both teams. However, I think the Mets did well, considering they were competing against the Yankees and Red Sox for Santana. They also apparently held onto their top prospect, 19-year old outfielder Fernando Martinez, whom the Twins wanted added to the deal. Nice job by the Mets, in my opinion, to secure the game's top pitcher.

As for the American Leaguers, it looks like the Red Sox also win by keeping Johan out of the Bronx. The Yankees still need to improve their rotation if they want to beat the 'Sox in 2008.

Pitchers and Catchers

It's almost time to start getting excited about the 2008 Major League Baseball Season. Here are the dates that pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report for your favorite team:

Feb. 13
Orioles
Cubs
Astros
Royals
Athletics
Phillies
Giants
Mariners

Feb. 14
Braves
Tigers
Angels
Dodgers
Yankees
Pirates
Cardinals
Padres
Devil Rays
Rangers

Feb. 15
Diamondbacks
RedSox
WhiteSox
Indians
Rockies
Mets
BlueJays

Feb. 16
Reds
Brewers
Nationals

Feb. 17
Marlins
Twins

Oh, and the A's and Red Sox get the 2008 season started on March 25th in Japan...

Swisher to White Sox for 3 Minor Leaguers

Nick Swisher was traded from my beloved A's to the Chisox today for three minor leaguers. The Athletics get blue-chip southpaw pitcher Gio Gonzalez, outfielder Ryan Sweeney, and righty pitcher Fautino De Los Santos. While the A's have really loaded up on young talent, next year looks like they could challenge for the worst record in the majors.

In Roto-land, the trade helps out Swisher owners (me included), as he will be going from a pitcher-friendly park to a hitter-friendly stadium. That could boost his production by 20%. After a down year in 2007, he could climb back up to the 30 HR, 100 RBI level. He is supposedly going to play Center Field, which I don't think will help him stay healthy.

Keep in mind that the A's will probably be looking at a lot of different players at the major league level next year, as they evaluate their young studs. You may not want to go to high on Sweeney, for instance, as he could end up back at AAA if he doesn't produce right away. Gio Gonzalez is a major coup for Billy Beane. Any time you can get a very promising lefty starter, I think you have to do it.