The genius Braves pitchers tried to downplay the Mets' acquisition of Johan Santana in an article today in the Atlanta Journal-Consitution. Their take:
Tom Glavine (who by the way would have cost the Mets the same $$ this year as Santana): Glavine added, "When Randy Johnson went to the Yankees four years ago everybody was ready to hand them the World Series trophy, and it never happened."
Not even the Atlanta writer is buying it. He pointed out that Johnson was 41 when the Yankees acquired him. Santana is only 29. Even then, the Yankees did win the division both years Johnson was a Yankee.
Now, Tim Hudson: "He's pretty good, but he's not unbeatable," Hudson said. "He got hit a little bit last year."
Maybe, Tim, but Santana at his worst is still better than anything the Braves run out there: Smoltz: 1.18 WHIP, 0.96 K/9 Santana: 1.07 WHIP, 1.07 K/9
Finally, the Braves writer gets into the blind loyalty bit, writing: Hudson outshone Santana in a June 14 game last season at Minnesota, where Hudson pitched seven shutout innings of two-hit ball before Bob Wickman allowed three runs in the ninth for a 3-2 loss. Santana gave up five hits and two runs with nine strikeouts in seven innings.
Well, I think the Braves offense was little better than what the Twins threw out there - the Braves scored a full 100 runs more than the Twins offense, without the benefit of the DH! And the Braves are finding solace in Santana's line - 7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 9 K? Doesn't that show you how good he really is?