mull Johan deal?
134-pitch game.
Santana, 33, is owed $25.5 million next year, the final season of his six-year, $137.5 million contract, and the Mets hold a $25 million option for 2014 with a $5.5 million buyout. If the two-time Cy Young Award winner appears serviceable at season’s end, perhaps the Dodgers’ unique situation could create a willingness to take on enough of his contract.
That is just one idea, rooted more in speculation than reality. Forgetting about the Dodgers for a moment, the Mets will likely need to assume far too much of Santana’s salary to make a trade worthwhile; why would New York pay $20 million to watch its former ace pitch elsewhere?
Said one American League executive in an email: “(He has) very limited trade value . . . not ‘untradeable,’ but would have to have another big contract involved going to the Mets. Plus (the) Mets would probably have to kick in some more because not many (players are) making $31 million for one year. Trade would have to (be) mostly salary-driven on both sides.”
The News gathered these opinions after Santana allowed eight runs in 12⁄ innings last
3 weekend against Atlanta at Citi Field, but before he surrendered six at Nationals Park on Friday. Following that start, Santana was asked three times if he would be receptive to the Mets shutting him down for the remainder of the season, and he did not reject the notion.
Santana, Terry Collins, pitching coach Dan Warthen and general manager Sandy Alderson plan to meet in New York early this week to discuss his outlook for the remainder of this season.
The team noted encouraging developments in Friday’s loss, and may decide that Santana should continue. If that happens, the veteran’s limited trade value might be preserved into the offseason.
JOSH SPICE
While new Met Kelly Shoppach caught his first games for the team on Thursday and Friday, Josh Thole used the time to do what Collins and hitting coach Dave Hudgens long had suggested: Work on an approach that would lend him more power.
T hole, who went 0-for-3 Saturday night and is now hitting .256 with one homer, decided to stop choking up on the bat and stand taller in the batter’s box. Rather than trying to punch opposite-field singles, he will now look to produce more doubles and the occasional home run
“What he generally tries to do is really try to stay inside the baseball, let the ball get deep and hit the ball to the left side,” Hudgens said. “He actually has a little bit more power than that, but he has never really worked on it or taken a chance. He just feels that in order to become an everyday major league catcher, he has to drive the ball a little bit.”
MEJIA TO START?
Jenrry Mejia is not assured of a September call-up, but with so much uncertainty in the Mets’ rotation, he could start a game for them this season, according to a team official. Mejia, most likely a reliever long-term, has shuttled between the rotation and bullpen for Triple-A Buffalo this year and is 3-2 with a 2.75 ERA.