Santana for F-Mart, Gomez, Guerra, Humber, and Mulvey...

Just when it felt like Omar and the Mets were finally on the outside looking in regarding Johan Santana, Minaya has seemingly jumped back in to the race. The most recent report has evenly divided Mets' fans in to two distinctive groups, the "Win Now" and "Win Later". From what I've read, the casual fan is praying for this deal to go down, as most aren't exactly in the know when it comes to Deolis Guerra or Kevin Mulvey. While these two may not be the key pieces in bringing Santana to Flushing, both are tremendous sleeper prospects with a clear future in someone's rotation. As of now, it's not exactly clear who's that is.

I am one of the few Mets fanatics who is yet to decide whether this trade is quite as good as it looks, because I do consider myself a prospector. Prospects, mainly those on the Mets, are my passion. While the thought of Santana leading a team full of young core players in to the playoffs is nice, it isn't exactly bliss. Over the next few weeks, you'll be sure to here the names Alex Ochoa or his friend Mr. Escobar, as the Mets are notoriously terrible at developing young players. But be sure not to look too far back, as several mainstays including David Wright, Jose Reyes, John Maine, and the recently successful Ruben Gotay were all given legit shots by the Mets. They, unlike dozens of "busts", rose to the occasion.

Back to the trade, it's going to be a No for me. The Mets cannot part with Deolis Guerra. His value is not even close to where it should be. An 18 year old kid with a huge frame and a major league ready changeup, isn't that enough already? This young stud has Johan Santana written all over him, possessing a repertoire that screams projection. If the Mets can acquire Santana for Martinez, Gomez, Mulvey, and Humber; count me in. But this trade cannot deplete Minaya's system to the point where there lies no depth. Even though he's notoriously bad at drafting, Omar can still replenish the farm due to the Mets' three top thirty-five picks.

So in short, keep Guerra, move the rest. All the Mets need to do is draft young Isaac Galloway, but that, my friends, is for another day.