So it is more than just careful managing of expectations, or the natural inclination to assume that something will go wrong because it’s the Mets, to hang back from the fantasy that Johan Santana will return to the Mets in 2012 as the dominating ace we all remember.
But those very rational stumbling blocks are disappearing, one at a time. And the unlikely reality is growing likelier every day.
Consider the problems: less that 18 months after complicated shoulder surgery, could Santana manage to throw without pain, then do so again and again? Once he did, how long could his outings last? Would his velocity return? How about his command? And finally, could he put all of those together consistently?
Well, we’re four out of five here.
Wednesday, Santana threw again. He’s been on an every-fifth-day schedule, bullpens in between, and hasn’t missed one. (Problem one overcome.) He threw six innings on Wednesday, easily on pace to be at full starter load for the regular season. (Problem two, check.) His velocity has been up around 90 miles per hour, a level at which he succeeded in both 2009 and 2010, and early enough to think it could even jump another 1-2 MPH and return to 2008 levels. (Problem three, solved.) He struck out six on Wednesday, walked none, and was hyper-efficient, like the old Santana. (Problem four gloriously defeated.)
So now he needs to do it again, and again, and again and again. That fourth again, if you are keeping score at home, would be on Opening Day. Whatever the team’s other faults, just seeing Santana be Santana every fifth day is enough to make any Mets fan that much happier to see Opening Day approach.
5 Comments
You grasp at straws. What you have here are the NY Pittsburgh Pirates, only worse. Fred, while promoting Santana to potential ticket buyers, can’t wait for his $20 million star’s contract to expire. Same goes for Bay, who will be replaced by some sad sack at 25% his cost.
Interesting in the extreme that our blog leader who complained about his (since restored) press credentials, gives us precious little press. Not only that, on the odd occasion when he does, he seems to have no idea what’s truly going on in the dugout, the clubhouse, or the front office.
You figured it out, Walter. I’m just shilling for Fred Wilpon and the Mets.
Shilling? Now there’s a name we could use on the mound! He’s four years younger than Jamie Moyer, who’s still pitching (for the Rockies.)
The Wilpons root for Santana to be healthy and productive not to help the Mets make a run, but so that he and his salary can be jettisoned by mid year. In addition, Wright is on the last year of a contract that is not being negotiated.