And Exhale...The Deal Is Done

Although it needed a 2 hour extension to be completed, the Johan Santana deal has finally been completed, making a passed physical the only thing that is in between us and Santana.

The contract, signed last night, was worth $136.5 million over 6 years, with an option for a seventh year valued at about $13 million. The deal makes Santana the richest pitcher in baseball history. Well, until C.C. Sabathia signs his free-agent contract next year...

In my mind, there was no doubt the deal would be completed. What shocked me was the panic by Met fans. The way I see it, if the Mets are given a 72 hour negotiation window, what would compel Omar Minaya and company to use less than the time alotted?

Another thing is the media coverage, specifically by ESPN. Tell me they didn't want a "story". Jayson Stark, who is one of ESPN's below average baseball writers (i.e. Buster Olney), said that there was a "decent" chance the deal would not happen. That's one reason, you must take anything that ESPN says with a grain of salt. They merely hype up everything that is put in front of them.

But, that's enough of that. It will be a nice day on Long Island knowing that Johan Santana, after all these excruciating months of trade rumors, is finally a Met.