Winning Isn't Everything

The win is one of the worst ways to measure a pitcher's effectiveness.

Case in point: Livan Hernandez is, by nearly every metric available, the worst starting pitcher on the Twins' staff (5.18 ERA, on pace to give up over 300 hits, and a mind numbing 3+ strikeouts per 9 innings), but because he's 9-5, he's considered to be the 'ace' of the staff. Dick and Bert, however, aren't satisfied to give him credit for his ridiculous luck, they're happy to attribute everyone else's (much better) pitching to his 'veteran presence' and even when he gives up 7 runs in 4 innings, he's "showing the other pitchers" how to grind through lousy starts (he certainly has the practice). If the Twins were able to make a trade and get a low level third string A-ball catcher who rolls the ball back to the pitcher, I would happily take it.
By contrast, Johan Santana is 7-7 this year, and while I seriously doubt/hope that no one would call Livan Hernandez a better pitcher than Johan Santana, I did overhear some true baseball genius saying just the other day how losing Santana didn't hurt the Twins, because they've got Livan, and he's got 9 wins, whereas Johan only has a 7-7 record. He's not as brutally dominant as he was in his 04-06, and his strikeout rates down a touch, but he's still one of the best pitchers in major league baseball, and to see him in the same paragraph as Livan irks me a bit.

It's this line of reasoning that's keeping Bert Blyleven out of the Hall of Fame, and it's unacceptable and ridiculous.

Regarding the Minnesota Twins Current Pitching Staff

So, after having calmed down a bit, I've thought over the Santana trade and come to the conclusion that...

Oh dear God... this means Scott Baker is our 'ace' pretty much by default...

Scott Baker... ace...

Just, wow...

Well, hope you prove me wrong, Scotty, but I have the feelign this could be a long season.

Goodbye, Johan

This is kind of getting old.

According to various sources, Johan Santana has been traded to the Mets in return for outfielder Chris Gomez and pitchers Phil Humber, Deolis Guerra, and Kevin Mulvey. Only time will tell if this works out or not, but I can't help feeling a tiny bit cheated over losing the best pitcher in baseball for prospects (and a few prospects with questionable at best ceilings).

Ah well, as more informed opinions come out, I'll link to them.

For now, fare thee well, Santana... There's no one better, and I'm glad you're headed to a place where we won't have to face you very often.