Johan Santana: the New York Yankees Should Trade For This Met

Since the Yankees failed in their quest to get Cliff Lee, the Yanks need to make a trade and make one now! They cannot go into the 2011 season with the same thin pitching staff that got them unceremoniously dismissed from the postseason. The Yankees need a solid No. 2 pitcher behind C.C. Sabathia and the Mets have him.

Who should the Yankees go and trade for?

The answer is Johan Santana.

Santana has a massive $20 million annual salary in which the team would likely be willing to dump, considering that the Mets are in rebuilding mode. Look at Santana's 2010 numbers and tell me he would not be a number one starter on most teams. 

His ERA was a minute 2.98. He pitched 199 innings and struck out 144 batters. He only won 11 games because he played for a horrible Mets team with no offense. Santana did have shoulder surgery this fall and is likely out until June.

But that's perfect because the Yankees will primarily need him for the postseason.

Since he is coming off of an injury, the Yankees can probably get the Mets to pay a portion of his contract. It's a win-win for both teams: the Mets shed payroll and the Yankees pitching staff gets better—fast.