Ok then, the dust has settled and I have slightly calmed down from the initial joy and disbelief I felt when the Johan Santana announcement was made. I can finally articulate my thoughts. I have not contributed much to the whole rumor mill because honestly I was quite sick of it, but here is my 2 cents.

I am still pleasantly shocked about the whole thing. I guess it was the lack of giving up a fifth prospect, namely Fernando Martinez, and the reality that Santana is actually on the Mets now (pending contract agreement) which has me so elated.  The Giants making the Super Bowl is almost as unbelievable to me.  This one move changes everything in the NL East, and subsequently the whole league.  I won't go so far as to say the Mets have the NL East in the bag but it definitely puts them in a great position to win it.

I think it's a great trade for many reasons but here are a few. Santana takes a burden off the bullpen by pitching more innings per game than most, if not all of the team's current starters.  By doing so, the bullpen which wore out at the end of last season will have a bit more rest every fifth day. 

Santana's overall aura and clubhouse presence should contribute to a winning vibe.  Although he was a bit negative in Minnesota, he wanted out, and Flushing is a much better fit for him. He will be the Citi Field poster boy, and having a player of his caliber/reputation will help to instill confidence in the rest of the team.

The Mets have a bona fide ace at the top of the rotation which makes the 5 spot much better, be it El Duque, Pelfrey if he proves he belongs there, or a player to be named later.  Although the team's already thin farm system is even thinner, the club has a young player who may have not even reached his full potential, but I find that hard to believe. What's next?

And now us Mets fans have something to look forward to instead of looking back at the train wreck that was 2007.  A great burden has been lifted!

Welcome to queens #57!

Posted by Mark Weinstein:

It's a steal of epic proportions.

To get arguably the best pitcher in baseball without having to give up Fernando Martinez, Mike Pelfrey, or anyone of significance from the Major League roster, is simply an incredible feat.

Many people will question giving up on a supposed five-tool prospect like Carlos Gomez, but until a prospect shows his value at the Major League level, his value is only theoretical.

Thinking back, weren't both Alex Ochoa and Alex Escobar once considered five-tool talents?  

When we traded for Gary Carter, there were people who lamented the loss of young prospects Floyd Youmans, Mike Fitzgerald, and Herm Winningham.  Whatever happened to those guys?

Now, I know that sometimes these young guys turn out to be pretty damn good Major League players, as the trades of Nolan Ryan, Rick Aguilera, and Scott Kazmir prove.  But whenever you're able to bring in a player like Santana for a bunch of guys who have yet to prove much, if anything, at the Major League level, it's really a trade you have to make.

Maybe Gomez is going to go out to Minneapolis and become an All-Star centerfielder for the Twins.  Maybe not.  But he was never going to get that chance here in New York playing behind Beltran. And with young pitchers (one coming off Tommy John surgery) you really never know what you're going to get.

Santana comes in and automatically makes the Mets contenders.  And more than that, he helps erase the nasty taste the end of last season left in the mouths of Mets fans.  This trade marks a new direction for the ballclub, and also puts less pressure on Pedro Martinez to carry the club on his back.

Brilliant move, Omar.  I still don't understand the Milledge/Schneider/Church deal, but hopefully I will come October.

Make sure to check out Mark's new NY Giants blog BLUENATIC as well!