Looks like Carlos Gomez wasn't pulled from the Caribbean World Series for no reason. The Mets and Twins have agreed on a deal to send Johan Santana to Queens for four prospects, pending an agreement on a contract extension between the lefty and his new club. The package - Gomez and pitchers Phil Humber, Deolis Guerra and Kevin Mulvey - doesn't include prized outfield prospect Fernando Martinez, long believed to be the sticking point in negotiations. Take your hat off to Omar Minaya for getting this deal done without including Martinez. In a market that had the Twins demandin several top prospects from all suitors, Minaya's handiwork should be applauded. He dealt three pitchers who, while solid prospects, weren't going to help the Mets appreciably in 2008 or 2009 and turned them into the game's best pitcher. Throw in the helpful move from American to National League and the pitcher's paradise that is Shea Stadium and you've got a gem of a deal for the Amazins.
As for the Twins, it's a mixed blessing. They got a five-tool player in Gomez who will replace Torii Hunter in the lineup this summer. But GM Bill Smith didn't get Phil Hughes or any other stud, major league ready pitcher for the rotation. The three ex-Mets project as major leaguers, but none is quite there yet. Coupled with the trade of Matt Garza earlier this offseason and the rehabbing Francisco Liriano, the Twins are looking awfully thin on the mound in the near future.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
1-29-2008 @ 5:34PM
Jon said...
Unless two of the five tools are "striking out too much" and "not hitting for power," there's no way Gomez is a five-tool player.
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1-29-2008 @ 5:43PM
TAN said...
The Mets are better than sex!!!!
This is the greatest thing to happen in the history of existence.
Omar for president!
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1-29-2008 @ 5:46PM
JAlper said...
Jon - Check out Jose Reyes's minor league numbers, all might not be lost with Gomez. He's been rushed but has the tools. Mastering them is something else entirely.
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1-29-2008 @ 5:50PM
GARY B. said...
GREAT.FINALLY DONE WITHOUT LOSING TOO MUCH.VAMOS LOS METS-ANOTHER LATINO.HATS OFF TO OMAR.
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1-29-2008 @ 6:01PM
riky1204 said...
Omar Minaya has just trade for another latin player and I would like to see the comments of the racist fans that always are asking for his head because when he got the 2 white boys for the black kid Milledge i did not see any complain,and this just happen to be the winningest pitcher in the major leagues the last 5 years.Go minaya,go mets
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1-29-2008 @ 8:41PM
Coach Hye said...
way to go METS. We have our ace and get to keep the #1 prospect. OK now we look to the post season. I really think it IS worth it even to be in the post season for 1-3 years. The fans want it now and I agree with this decision. Gee now we should try for Bedard as well- What a staff we would have!!!Ah, wishful thinking. Good luck Mets and Thanks Omar.
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1-29-2008 @ 6:55PM
Tony Lats said...
The trait with the Nationals couple Months ego
when Milege was traited,we thouth it was a terrible misstake,well now it makes sense.
We lost two of our young out fealders Gomez and
Meilege but, we gut Santana.Now I say together both
deals were worth it.
Thank you Mr Minayer,
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1-29-2008 @ 6:48PM
riky1204 said...
Another latino but this happen to be the winingest pitcher in the ML the last 5 years.morom,how come you did not say anything when he trade the black kid for 2 white boys.keep your coments related to baseball now Minaya is a hero.what a bunch of stupids fan we have.
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1-29-2008 @ 7:22PM
Joel said...
Where's LEW? I must get his take on this trade!
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1-29-2008 @ 7:26PM
BOB said...
let's not get too carried away. Santana hasn't done real well last year and the end of the previous year maybe someone knows something we don't know!!!
Santana going downhill.
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1-29-2008 @ 8:40PM
thomasecw said...
Santana will fall like a rock once he bonds with those drug heads in the Mets clubhouse.
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1-29-2008 @ 9:42PM
D.J. said...
THE TWINS GENERAL MANAGER REALLY BLEW THIS ONE. HE HAD PHIL HUGHES, MAJOR LEAGUE READY, MELKY CABRERA, EXCELLENT CENTER FIELDER, AND 2 ADDITIONAL PROSPECTS.LOOK WHAT HE GOT IN RETURN FROM THE METS. IF I WAS THE TWINS OWNER THIS WOULD BE THE GM'S LAST TRADE.
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1-29-2008 @ 10:09PM
Matt said...
So is there any chance the Phillies and Braves now step up and try their hardest to facilitate a trade with the O's to get Bedard? The Mets got a steal here with Santana. He will own the NL east for years to come.
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1-29-2008 @ 10:56PM
plinio_y_migdalia said...
i still remember in may 1998 when the mets traded for Piazza i went crazy,and with this trade i will be in a straight jacket go mets
and for minaya please get on the race for president
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1-29-2008 @ 11:31PM
john said...
WOW...DJ is right! You have to be absolutely shting me about the Mets having the best pkg? I would be livid about what the mets gave the Twins and also livid if I were a Twins fan for not getting Hughes, Melky, Lester, Elisbury and other young studs....WOW! As a Yankee fan I came over here to see what Twins fans were talking about and I read the first 5 blogs about Omar and Latino players. Wtf is up with that? I thought that I would see a lot more griping and complaining about the trade from a Minn fans point of view. I do want to thank the Minn GM for keeping Santanna away from the Red Sox.
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1-29-2008 @ 11:43PM
Hatethemets said...
Who is trying to BUY a championship NOW??? Doesn't matter, the Mutt-holes will still STINK as usual.
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1-29-2008 @ 11:45PM
me said...
Big deal, HATE the mets.
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1-30-2008 @ 1:33AM
TONY C. said...
THE TWINS ARE SEEING SOMETHING NO ONE ELSE IN THE BASEBALL WORLD SEE'S I QUESS. THE YANKEES OFFERED WAY MORE IN QUALITY NOW AND TWO PLAYERS FOR A POSS. FUTURE . THE METS OFFERED A 19 YEAR OLD AND A 22 YEAR OLD W/H NO REAL TIME IF ANY AT ALL IN THE MAJORS. YOU ARE GETTING THE YANKS STARTING CENTERFIELDER, AND ONE OF THE YANKS " BIG-THREE " PITCHERS THAT WON LAST YEAR ( 5-3 ) AND ALSO PITCHED LIKE A SEASONED PRO IN THE PLAYOFFS ( 1-0 ). WELL GOOD LUCK TWINS U ARE SURE U WILL DO NOTHING AT ALLLLLLLLL THIS YEAR , AND TO THE METS AND THERE FANS " ONE REAL PITCHER DOES-NOT A SEASON MAKE "....AND BY THE WAY WHO'S PLAYING IST BASE ???? AND BACK UP CATCHER FOR THE OLD MAN YOU GOT FOR DULUCA ?????....THE FLASH FROM N.J.
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1-30-2008 @ 4:18AM
leo G said...
The Twinkies got burned again with their cheap owner and rookie idiot GM.
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1-30-2008 @ 8:15AM
john said...
Are we all positive that Kevin McHale isn't the GM of the Twins also?.....Ok maybe not, because the Red Sox would've gotten him........Hey ALL!!THIS TRADE MIGHT HIT A SNAG WHEN CONTRACTUAL PROCEEDURES BEGIN!!!SANTANNA WANTS 7 YRS AND THE METS ARE WILLING TO GIVE 5?...LETS WAIT AND SEE.
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