The Metropolitans points us to some comments Jim Callis of Baseball America made regarding the Mets offer for Johan Santana, specifically Fernando Martinez…
Chris (Hoboken, NJ): Ok Mr. Callis, I got a bone to pick with you. Every week you’re kind enough to answer the general what will it take for the Mets to acquire Johan, and some set of Mets prospects is thrown out for you to comment on, to which you always reply the Mets prospects aren’t enough for Johan. However, this week, you were quoted as saying that “If the Twins wanted to roll the dice, the Mets’ offer could be the best deal. (Martinez’s) offensive potential is significant. (He’s) a special offensive player he can do anything he wants offensively.” So let me ask you, is F-mart, C-Gomez, K Mulvey, D. Guerrra, and P Humber enough or too much to get Johan? How would that offer compare to the Sox and Yanks offers, assuming one of Ellsbury, Hughes or Lester is included? Oh, and go buy the 2008 handbook!
Jim Callis: Wait a minute, Chris. I never said Martinez can do anything he wants offensively. In that article in the Boston Herald, I said the Mets’ offer potential could be the best — if it includes Martinez, Guerra and Gomez AND they all reach their potential. That’s a big IF, because there’s a significant gap between their present abilities and their ceilings. If someone wanted to gamble, that could be a big payoff. But you also could be left holding the bag if only one of those guys pans out as hoped. The problem with the Mets’ packages is that Humber and Pelfrey have diminished value, Mulvey is interesting but not a frontline pitcher and their best players lack a lot of polish because they’re so young. And yes, go buy the Handbook!
