Inside the Santana trade

0 Comments | USA TODAY, February, 2008 | by Gabe Lacques

*The trade: The New York Mets send outfielder Carlos Gomez and pitchers Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey and Deolis Guerra to the Minnesota Twins for pitcher Johan Santana.

*Impact on the Mets: Santana immediately becomes their highest-paid player, their No. 1 starter and the tonic they hope removes the residue of their historic September collapse. His six-year, $137.5 million contract makes him the best-paid pitcher of all time, with a team or vesting option that could make the package worth $157.5 million over seven years. His credentials are obvious -- two Cy Young Awards, a 93-44 record, at least 235 strikeouts in four consecutive years -- but the Mets are seeking intangibles, too. "We've been lacking what we consider a true No. 1 starter," general manager Omar Minaya...