Santana Almost Walked Away

SI.com's Tom Verducci has an interesting story about how Johan Santana nearly walked away from the Mets' $135MM offer, five minutes prior to the deadline.  Santana was dead set on getting $140MM.

You know how the story ended - the Mets pushed for another two hours and ultimately split the difference with Santana.  It's difficult to figure out who was bluffing here.  Both parties had a lot at stake.  It's assumed Santana had all the leverage, but $135MM now is very different than $135MM a year from now.  On the other hand, it would've been ugly for the Mets if the deal fell apart over five mil.

Comments

[fitz]

No way this deal would have fell apart over $5 million. If Johan decided to walk away they would have given it to him in an instant.

[007]

Johan Santana, Players Union tool.

[Jay107]

Wow.

[nrmax88]

Santana=A-Rod. Minus the negative press. Why, I dont know. A-Rod gets made out as some horrible human being while Santana is known as this great guy and all this crap. Santana is every bit the prima donna A-Rod is. If he was really ready to walk away over 5 million that shows how greedy he is.

[astralpanda]

Wow, nrmax, I think this is the first time we completely agree on something. :)

[GiggityGiggityGoo]

That's certainly one angle to take when looking at the situation but the Mets were also willing to let him walk over $5 mil.

[GiggityGiggityGoo]

Also, at that point it's not really about the $5 mil it's about pride. You really think Johan cared about the money? No, it was about backing down.

Sorry for the double post.

[Santana/Beckett FTW]

My take on this is that Santana had all the leverage. he could go ask other teams to reconsider him, he could go back to the twins and play the free agent market. probably end up in boston or the bronx that way as well. it wouldn't have suprised me if he walked away. I agree with the posts that santana is as greedy as arod but i wont lie i would have loved to have him on the sox.

[hawkeye26]

In my eyes Johan didn't come close to what A-Rod is . A-Rod was already the highest paid player in baseball and it wasn't enough .He added further burden to his team by voiding his contract just so he could put himself higher up on the mountain so no one could ever reach him . To me , that's not only greed , but it has no loyalty to his team .

[hawkeye26]

Johan was never a Met until the contract was agreed upon . His chance at loyalty comes after he excepted the trade which came after the contract .

[bernie]

Santana/Beckett FTW - Don't forget that Theo Epstein botched the deal! The Red Sox could have had Santana for Jon Lester and Jacoby Ellsbury and a couple of minor league prospects. A pretty inexpensive package for a dominant, two time Cy Young winner under age 30 who would have given the Red Sox huge advantage over the Yankees. And along with Beckett and Dice-K, would have been the best 3-man rotation in the playoffs!

Horrible non-trade for the Red Sox!

[Ya Hote Ta]

I, for one, like Johan a lot less than I used to after this whole thing. A-rod's contract is outrageous, but at least he plays every day.

Not saying that justifies 30 mil per, and it sure as hell makes more sense than the Zito contract. It just seemed like Johan was being a bitch about the whole thing. He demanded a trade before the season, and wouldnt allow it to pass at the trade deadline. He demanded an extension. etc, etc.

This is the kind of situation that makes me wish baseball had a salary cap.

[Ya Hote Ta]

And also, I hope he gets booed like crazy if he ever returns to Minnesota for interleague play or whatever.

[Ya Hote Ta]

And also, I hope he gets booed like crazy if he ever returns to Minnesota for interleague play or whatever.

[nrmax88]

" To me , that's not only greed , but it has no loyalty to his team ."

Yes, and Johan was oh so loyal to Minnesota. He has had a gun to their head for a while now.