There has been a lot of banter this week regarding Johan Santana's elbow and where his season is headed. Although I do not have access to his medical information nor do I speak to team doctors or front office, I will offer my opinion. Opening Day 2009 is not important for Johan Santana to pitch. Why? Am I just being cautious for the rest of the season? No. I am concerned about his full contract/career. The Mets have a lot invested in Santana and he is only going to turn 30 next Friday, March 13th. However, he has already thrown over 1500 innings. He has five straight years of 219 innings or more, plus playoffs.
Give me a break if I seem a little more worried about the future years as opposed to Opening Day 2009. I am thinking about 2010, 2011, 2012, etc. Santana can be the face of this pitching staff for several years if handled correctly.
Here are two better options in my opinion:
Option 1- Have Santana make his season debut starting the April 10th game in Florida. A nice warm first start in the same atmosphere as spring training, he could even stay in Florida and not travel to Cincy for the opening series. Warm weather, loose muscles. Plus it is those annoying Marlins.
Option 2- How about Santana starts the home opener at Citi Field? Right now, if he opens the season, he is not the Citi Field opening day pitcher. How cool would that be to start off the new home with Santana pitching? Talk about an intense atmosphere. Otherwise, who starts that game? The way the schedule looks, probably Perez. So, if he does, do you get a 2 hit shutout or a 2 inning blowup to open Citi Field? At least with Santana, you can assume he will rise to the occasion.
Anyway it shakes out, Santana is not important for opening day, he is important for his career. Let's remember that.
