Twins Lose Santana, Gain Four Top Prospects

Here is an inside look at the Johan Santana trade, complete with scouting reports of the four prospects the Twins got in exchange for the Cy Young Winner. In the deal, the Twins gained possibly a starting centerfielder and pitcher, and two other prospects who should be Major League ready very soon.

On Tuesday, pending a physical and an extension, the Twins dealt ace Johan Santana to the New York Mets for four prospects, two of whom could help the team right away. Though they failed to get Fernando Martinez, the Mets number one overall prospect, they did manage to get possibly a starting centerfielder for many years, as well as a guy who could figure into the team’s rotation questions. Could they have gotten more? The answer is probably yes, but they got the deal done before Spring Training, and that is what everybody involved wanted.

At the beginning, the race for Santana was between three teams, as the Mets, Yankees, and Red Sox were all vying for his services. The Yankees last reported bid included Melky Cabrera, Phil Hughes, Jeff Marquez, and a fourth prospect, but that offer wasn’t even still on the table on Tuesday night. The Red Sox deal was looking like Jon Lester, Coco Crisp, Justin Masterson, and Jed Lowrie, though they had begun pulling players out as of late as well.

All three deals would have given the Twins two key components for the 2008 season: a starting centerfielder, and a starting pitcher. Though the Mets deal does not have the big name players as the other two, this deal may wind up being the better of the three. Humber and Gomez are both Major League ready, and of the two other prospects, one is the Mets top pitching prospect and the other could be ready for the Major Leagues sometime in 2008.

Here is a look at the four newest members of the Minnesota Twins organization:

Carlos Gomez
Gomez is a 22-year old outfielder who has long been considered an untouchable prospect in the Mets organization. A rare blend of speed and power, Gomez should be the Twins starting centerfielder on Opening Day 2008. Aside from his prowess at the plate, Gomez has a rocket for a right arm, and is a very good baserunner. He could be at the top of the Twins lineup. Last season, Gomez hit .232 for the Mets in 125 at-bats, with one home runs and 12 runs batted in.

Phil Humber
Humber underwent Tommy John Surgery in 2005, but has since fought his way back to be considered someone who could be a very good Major League starting pitcher. Though he has yet to have that breakthrough season, Humber did win 11 games at the Triple-A level in 2007. However, he looked awful in three September starts for the Mets. His arsenal consists of a power curveball and splitter, as well as a very good changeup.

Deolis Guerra
Guerra is a 6-foot-5 Venezuelan who is considered the top pitching prospect in the Mets organization. Probably a year or two away from the Majors, Guerra consistently reaches the low-90s with his fastball, and is still only 18-years old. He also has a very good curveball and changeup, which has been developing at a rapid pace.

Kevin Mulvey
Mulvey was a second round selection of the Mets in the 2005 draft, and he throws four pitches with great control. He has been successful at every level of the Mets farm system, and could soon be battling for a spot in the Twins starting rotation. Jon Star, the publisher of InsidePitchMagazine.com said that Mulvey reminds him of John Maine, which is some very good company to be compared to.