When a team trades for arguably the number one pitcher in the game and he’s LEFT HANDED…its easy to say that they made the deal of the off-season (or couple seasons.) But that’s exactly what the New York Mets did Tuesday, shipping out Carlos Gomez their best major league ready outfield prospect, Philip Humber and and two other pitching prospects for Johan Santana of the Minnesota Twins. The deal has yet to be consummated and is pending the Mets signing him to a long term deal and passing a physical. I won’t bore you with anymore particulars (you can get that ESPN.com.) Hopefully this trend continues for my teams and the Giants find a way to slay Goliath this weekend in Arizona.

SHOUT TO OMAR!
What is most surprising about the deal is the Mets were always figured to be the least likely candidate to land the ace. Both the Red Sox Jon Lester/ Jacoby Ellsbury package and the Yankees’ Phil Hughes/ Melky Cabrera combo were far more attractive. But the Mets’ General Manager, Omar Minaya‘s M.O. reigns true…persistence is the key. He perused Santana much like he courted Pedro Martinez and Carlos Beltran in free agency by relentlessly keeping in contact with their handlers making his desire to get his man be known. In all three cases the Mets were believed to be the underdogs to acquire the talent. In addition, Minaya was able to ink the deal without giving up the coveted OF prospect Fernando Martinez or Jose Reyes, both who were believed to be in early rejected proposals.

FAVORITES TO WIN THE NL?
Instantaneously the Mets went from being a good team with pitching question marks to becoming a favorite to represent the NL in the chip. Pedro Martinez can now lie in the shadow as an extremely dangerous #2 starter with John Maine and Oliver Perez behind him. Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez or Mike Pelfrey will be the favorites for the 5 whole.

GOOD LOOKING GIANTS
In an off-season that seems to have dragged on forever following the stunning collapse in the last 19 days of the season the Mets have finally arrived. As probably the biggest Mets fan who might read this blog save Lexicon167, I’m finally awake. The Giants have held me down for a few months now. Good looking Plax, Eli and Osi. This is living proof that the tides maybe turning, Boston doesn’t always win. (aren’t KG and Ray Allen out tonight also….hmmmmmmmm.)