The New York Metropolitans landed the best starting pitcher alive in the most-anticipated and -publicized trade since the Yankees traded for Alex Rodriguez before the 2004 season.  It’s a damn shame for the fans of Minnesota, who, when the Twins needed a new ballpark, said they will pay the tax to help build it.  Now the Twins have repaid their fans by dealing off Johan Santana.  It should be noted that Santana turned down a four year, $80 million offer, but it should also be noted that the Twins signed first baseman Justin Morneau to a six-year extension and outfielder Michael Cuddyer to a three-year extension.  Remember also, Twins owner Carl Pohlad is one of the richest men in America.

The real problem though is that, with the Yankees and Red Sox standing pat, the Twins got no prospects in return that will become stars.  The Mets held onto super prospect Fernando Martinez.  They also kept Mike Pelfrey, who has had limited and unsuccessful MLB experience, but has the tools to be a front-of-the-rotation starter. 

Since the Twins couldn’t get the Mets’ top prospect from a year ago (Pelfrey) or their current top prospect (Martinez), they had to look elsewhere. Philip Humber was once a can’t-miss prospect drafted third overall in 2004.  A subpar season and Tommy John surgery later, the now 25-year-old has made only one Major League start. He could very well win a spot the Twins rotation in spring training, but profiles as a back-of-the-rotation guy.  Deolis Guerra could be a wild card in this trade, simply because of his youth.  The right-handed starting pitcher projects–like the others–as an average, back-end starter.  However, since his 19th birthday is in April, no one truly knows how he may develop.  Kevin Mulvey, the third right-handed starter in the group, went 11-10 in AA last year and won his only appearance at the AAA level.  He, like Humber, is close to the Majors, but also like Humber, seems to be a fourth or fifth starter.  The only position player traded in the Santana deal was Carlos Gomez.  He is an interesting player and has the inside track on the centerfield job for the Twins in 2008.  Not many are in Torii Hunter’s class defensively, but Gomez has the speed to cover a lot of ground.  In fact, he will be one of the fastest players in MLB should he make the Twins’ big league club.  In just 141 plate appearances with the Mets last year, he stole 12 bases.  However, his ability to get on base will determine whether he leads off or hits 9th.

The Twins will be just fine because their scouting and development of prospects has been so top notch under the reign of former General Manager (now a top consulant) Terry Ryan.  Glen Perkins, Kevin Slowey, Francisco Liriano, Nick Blackburn, Scott Baker, and Boof Bonser are all talented and young starting pitchers.  The Twins have a formidable lineup with Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, and Michael Cuddyer hitting third, fourth, and fifth.  However, without Fernando Martinez or Mike Pelfrey in the deal, the Twins simply did not get enough for Johan Santana.  To give up a megastar like Santana–the new best left-handed starting pitcher of his generation–they needed a cornerstone type of player in return, and no one of this foursome from the Mets is that.

It looks like the Yankees and Robinson Cano will avoid arbitration.  They agreed to a 4-year, $30 million contract.  The Yankees hold an option for two more years (2012, 2013) that would increase the total value of the contract to around $56 million.  Not a bad pay increase from the $490,800 Cano made in 2007.  He hit .306 last year with 19 HR and 97 RBI, as well as topping the 300 total base mark for the first time.  In 2006, he won the Silver Slugger for AL second basemen, slugging .525.

Pitchers and catchers report in less than three weeks.  It’s time to start thinking about the 2008 season.  Let’s kick it off by previewing the AL West.

http://thebigleaguebeat.com/2008-al-west-preview/

Troy Tulowitzki finished 2nd to Ryan Braun in 2007’s NL Rookie of the Year voting and even 18th in the NL MVP.  The NL Pennant-winning shortstop hit 24 homeruns, 33 doubles, and drove in 99 runs last season.  The Rockies have now locked up two of their brightest stars for a few more years after agreeing to a two-year, $23 million extension with Matt Holliday last week.  Tulowitzki signed for six years and $30 million.  The curious part about this contract is that while it is the biggest for any MLB player with less than two years of MLB experience, Tulowitzki could have made well over $10 million per season had he waited on arbitration.  It is a good day for small- and mid-market organizations.

Who says small-market clubs never sign their rising stars long term?  James Shields‘ extension comes a week after the Devil Rays, er, make that just simply the Rays, got Carlos Pena for three more years.  Shields’ contract is unusual in that there are one-year options for the last three years of what would total a seven-year deal.  Shields has earned it though, going 12-8 last season while logging 215 innings and posting a 3.85 ERA.  One more thing: doesn’t anybody call him Jamie anymore?

Congress wants to know if Miguel Tejada lied in 2005 to members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.  Am I missing something here?  Congress can’t seem to see the forest for the trees.  They claim Tejada lied about Rafael Palmeiro.  On second thought, maybe it’s the chicken and egg anology instead.  If it’s a liar Congress is looking for, it seems like they should go to the source.  Remember this?

Both players are in their early 30s.  Both players are past their primes.  Both players are due to make $12 million in 2008.  Well, Troy Glaus is actually going to make $12.75 million, but I disgress.  Both guys won a World Series title with David Eckstein playing to their left.  Scott Rolen demanded this trade, just as he did when he was traded from Philadelphia to St. Louis in 2002.  Their career numbers are pretty similar as well, with Rolen’s career OPS at .879 and Glaus’ career OPS at .858.

Did anybody watch the Congressional Hearing on steroids in MLB today?  Comment your opinions, but it seemed like Donald Fehr continued to play dumb, Bud Selig continued to toot his own horn, and Congressmen continued to smile into the camera and appear intelligent (’08 is an election year).

It’s been a busy offseason for Oakland.  Billy Beane traded another veteran to get his Oakland A’s younger and less expensive.  The Braves get the centerfielder they needed after Andruw Jones’ departure.  Kotsay has never won a Gold Glove, but is very good defensively.  Even though he’s 32 years old, he still has some range.  He fielded 2.62 chances per 9 innings in 2007, compared to the great Andruw Jones’ 2.59.  Kotsay is definitely a serviceable short-term solution as the Braves wait for outfield prospects Jordan Schafer, Jason Heyward, Brandon Jones, and Gorkys Hernandez to develop.

The A’s received Joey Devine, a 24-year-old right-handed reliever.  He had excellent minor league numbers last year–1.89 ERA and 78 Ks in 57 IP–, and made 10 appearances in the Big Leagues.

Score another one for corporate advertising.  The Jake wasn’t even immune.  Hopefully they won’t rename Yankee Stadium or Fenway Park anytime soon.  Ironically, those two teams are the reason teams do anything and everything to make extra revenue.  The Tribe will receive $3.6 million per year for 16 years from Progressive Insurance for these naming rights.