| John McMullen. 30th January, 2008 - 1:01 pm
 That loud noise you heard around Philadelphia on Tuesday was the door slamming shut on the Phillies' chances in the NL East this season.
If there is anything equivalent to a nuclear bomb in the sports world, the New York Mets acquiring the game's best pitcher -- Johan Santana -- was it.
In one fell swoop, the Mets lapped the Phillies and aren't even worried about checking the rear view mirror. And, all it took were pitchers Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey, Deolis Guerra, and outfielder Carlos Gomez.
I suppose you can play optimist and hope the Mets can't sign Santana to an extension over the next 48 to 72 hours or when they do, hope even harder that he breaks down.
But, it's really not even about the player. Santana is a human being, and while the two-time Cy Young Award winner will dominate for a few more years, his contract will eventually be an albatross to the Mets.
But, New York doesn't care. Like its big brother in the Bronx and the defending World Series champs in Boston, the Mets don't mind spending to chase a ring.
The Phillies? Come on...
Santana in Philadelphia probably means a World Series championship in 2008, but your Fightins' would never dare compete with the big boys for the big names.
And the local fishwraps, the same papers that never miss an opportunity to call out Phillies ownership for being frugal is an unwitting pawn in the game.
Think about it...
How many times have you read about how bad the Phils' farm system is? The same much-maligned system that produced Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Cole Hamels by the way.
You know the drill. Carlos Carrasco, Josh Outman, Kyle Drabek, and Adrian Cardenas just aren't good enough to acquire Santana...and maybe they're not, but wouldn't it have been nice if the Minnesota Twins got to make that decision instead of the local scribes?
Not in Philadelphia -- Santana's price tag is just too high so the Phillies aren't in the game.
Reuben Amaro has actually done a pretty good job this offseason finding the best deals he could while Pat Gillick continues his spot-on impression of Doug Moe.
The defending NL East champions shored up third base on Monday by picking up veteran Pedro Feliz and adding outfielders Geoff Jenkins and So Taguchi in free agency. The Phils also acquired a legitimate closer in Brad Lidge and utility man Eric Bruntlett from Philly's favorite son Ed Wade.
Problem is, Amaro is shopping in the Wal-Mart clearance aisle while the Mets are in Saks Fifth Avenue.
John is the managing editor of The Phanatic Magazine and the co-host of the highly rated 'Johns on Sports' radio show on WTBQ in New York. Every Saturday from 5-7 p.m. (et) you can hear John along with his co-host John Gottlieb talk to the movers and shakers in the sports world. Recent guests have included Darelle Revis of the New York Jets, ESPN's Buster Olney, and ComcastSportsnet's Ron Burke. You can listen on the internet at wtbq.com or call 845-651-1110 to be part of the program.
John is also the author of the upcoming book on Philadelphia Eagles football titled Philadelphia Eagles football: An Interactive Guide to the World of Sports. The book will be released by Savas Beatie in September 2008. You can reach John at jmcmullen@phanaticmag.com. |
