Broadway Johan?

For eight seasons, Johan Santana has sparkled. He has won two American League Cy Young Awards. Unfortunately, Santana’s playground has been Minneapolis, Minnesota. New York is an incomparable sandbox.

On Wednesday, the Minnesota Twins traded Santana to the New York Mets. As reciprocation, the Twins received minor league outfielder Carlos Gomez and minor league pitchers Deolis Guerra, Philip Humber, and Kevin Mulvey. The exchange left Mets third baseman David Wright stating the obvious. “To have one of those handful that I would call an ace is obviously special to a team that, offensively, we look good on paper,” he said. “And our pitching staff is very deep, especially with these young guys, and they're only going to get better. So obviously there's a lot of positive energy, if it's true, going into spring training.”

Upon his New York arrival, Santana signed a 6-year, $137.5 million contract. Santana’s negotiations were contentious. They involved several setbacks. They required a deadline extension. “I just know he's 29 years old and he's got two Cy Young Awards. I know he's elite,” said Atlanta Braves Catcher Brian McCann. “We've got guys who are elite, too. You're going to have to go out and play it out. It's going to be fun.”

During his career, Santana has amassed 93-44 record. He has posted a 3.22 earned run average. He has registered four fifteen-plus win seasons. He has showcased five sub-3.00 earned run average seasons. In 2007, Santana chalked a 15-13 campaign. He fashioned a 3.33 earned run average. “I spent eight years in the American League. You have to make a lot of adjustments,” Santana said. “Now, in the National League, it's going to be a learning process. But I'll be ready.”

Last season, the Mets’ collapse was both epic and self-inflicted. With seventeen skirmishes remaining, their edge was seven. The Philadelphia Phillies swept them. The Mets won four of seven. The Washington Nationals swept them. The St. Louis Cardinals defeated them. Ultimately, the Florida Marlins suffocated them.

For two hundred and fifty one contests, Santana’s status was significant. His market was miniature. Is Santana a savior? Is Santana a superstar? Only New York can answer the aforesaid.