Like us on Facebook here

Friday, Mar.29/2013

Johan Santana signed a 6 YR/$137.5 MIL deal with the Mets prior to the 2008 season. He only managed to start in 109 Games for the franchise in his stint. With a 2nd shoulder surgery coming – he is likely finished for his Career. He will receive a $5.5 MIL Buyout for the team declining his 2014 Option.  That means he will have made $143 Million in his New York time.  This works out to be over $1.2 MIL per game.  If pro – rated on a 33 Start season, it equates to be about a $40 Million a year pitcher.  Santana is 46 – 34 – with a 3.14 ERA for his Met playing days.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024

Today has to eb a frustrating day if you are a Mets fan with the news of Johan Santana being out for the year.  It is just another example of a deal gone awry from a superstar. 

Tom Glavine, Pedro Martinez, Mo Vaughn, Jason Bay and  Roberto Alomar….What do these ex – superstar players have in common with former Cy Young Winner Johan Santana??

How about all of them played at ALL – Star Caliber (even Hall of Fame Careers) before they entered a Mets uniform.   Once they arrived in the Big Apple, their careers basically fizzled out faster than a sparkler on the 4th of July.  They all made great money in their time with the New York club, yet failed to live up to expectations.

All 27 Outs of Johan Santana’s No Hitter:

Johan Santana threw 134 pitches in his brilliant no – hitter last June.  It was the 1st no – hitter in the teams 50 year history.  After throwing for only around 80 – 90 pitch efforts prior to that, one has to wonder if this played a role in his shoulders demise for a Second Time? Santana featured an abysmal 15+ ERA in his last handful of starts during the 2012 Campaign.  He was angry at the club for not letting him pitch in the WBC this Spring – and had spoken hastily toward the management for the decision.

Normally such an injury wouldn’t cripple a franchise with as much revenue, however we are talking about a team that is owned by the Wilpons.  This team has bolting down every spare penny around Citi Field over the last few years.

The Mets came out listed on the Forbes listed printed yesterday, with an estimated value of $811 Million.  This is 6th best in the MLB to the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, Tigers and Cubs.  This team generated $232 Million in baseball related revenues last year.

Here lies a problem within baseball…..Poor ownership putting out hap – hazard teams that can’t compete, only to see the values of their franchises soar 23% over one calendar year. 

It is a club plagued by the financial problems of the ownership (ahemmmm.. Frank McCourt anyone!)  The good news is that this can be eradicated quickly with new owners – just like what has happened in LA with the Guggenheim Consortium turning the Dodgers around within a year.

The ownership situation in Mets land is a joke – and Major League Baseball should definitely put the organization on ‘notice’ from this point forward.  This is a team that was challenging for being the most popular team on the Eastern Seaboard not to long ago.

The teams cascading slide in Team Payroll continues for the 2013 year. When you look at the 2013 squad, these guys might actually wallow in the NL East basement with the Miami Marlins with the talent set forth to start the year.

With a Team Payroll of $90 Million in 2013, they will pay out $25.5 MIL (plus a $5.5 MIL Buyout for the 2014 Team Option –  which they are sure to rip up) to Johan Santana to have arm surgery, plus they will fork out $18 Million to Jason Bay (now playing for the Seattle Mariners after being released.)

That’s about $48.5 MIL (roughly 55 %) of salary doled out to two players not even on your team.  Don’t forget former player Bobby Bonilla still draws himself $1.2 MIL a year in deferred salary – which is about the same amount as you are paying to your starting Outfield.

Your franchise player (3B – David Wright) was injured during the World Baseball Classic and will not be ready for the start of the regular season.  Your Best Outfielder this Spring (Marlon Byrd) was suspended for PED use – plus couldn’t even crack the 90 Loss Cub team, hitting .070 in his time there during 2012.

Your only Starting Pitcher acquisition this year (Shaun Marcum) is questionable for the start of the season. 

The best Second Baseman (Daniel Murphy) you have is probable for the start of the season but is dealing with a rib injury.

While you made a great long – term deal for a future Catcher (Travis d’Arnaud), you traded away the reigning NL Cy Young Pitcher (R.A. Dickey) – who defied the odds last campaign in winning 20 games.

The other pieces for that trade are not with the big club – except for the Catcher (John Buck) you picked up in return that hit .192 in the Majors last year and will make $6 MIL sum this year.  (I would call up the New York Yankees to see if they would trade for this guy – while they are grabbing everyone they can to spite money)

Your 1st Baseman (Ike Davis) did finish in the top few HR hitters in the second half last year, but this was after hovering around the Mendoza Line at the ALL – Star Break.

The man you had originally slated to close games (Frank Francisco) is going to open the year on the DL.  This only magnifies a team that blew almost as many Saves as they converted in 2013.

Did I mention that the only two times I have ever seen Jon Niese pitch in New York – that they have carted him off the field in a stretcher on both occasions?

It is a team that was completely ravaged by injuries in the 2012 and so far 2013 doesn’t look to be any different.  In a division where you are playing against the Nationals, Phillies and Braves (all fielding multiple ALL – Star talented rosters), the Mets are sure to see some long nights this season.

The news is not completely horrific.  The management has made some astute trades over the last few years to stock you with a potential #1 Starter in Zack Wheeler (for Carlos Beltran) and landing a franchise Catcher in d’Arnaud for a 38 Year Old Knuckleballer – who could revert to his previous form at any time.

The last meaning full game that was played at Citi Field was the Johan Santana No – Hitter.  Lucky for the team is that they are the hosts of the 2013 ALL – Star Game. They will benefit financially with the ALL – Star weeks festivities even heading into the Mid – Summers Classic.  At least the New York fans can see a game with some playoff implications this year.

It could be a long time before another game with importance is played in Flushing Meadows, NY.

Johan Santana is just another cautionary tale of why it is hard for teams to invest money long – term on Starting Pitching, There are just far too many ways for hurlers to be injured in comparison to Roster Players. The Mets will just have to bide time until 2014 when the team can finally take the former Cy Young winner of the teams payroll book.  The team will bring up phenom Zack Wheeler only into May –  to avoid the start of his Service clock.  Until then it is a Catches Catch can of who will replace Santana.

*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com or their partners.***

Chuck Booth – Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner and author of the Fastest 30 Ballgames:   To learn more about my  “The Fastest 30 Ballgames Book” and how to purchase it, click here . You can also follow my Guinness Book of World Record Successful Bid to see all 30 MLB Park in 23 Days – click here.  I am happy to be part of such an awesome Magazine-Style Baseball Website and am looking forward to talking to all of the fans of the MLB.  You can reach me on Twitter here Follow @mlbreports

Ben Fallon (Left) and Chuck booth (Right) at Nats Park (Patriots Day 2012)

Like us on Facebook here