Johan Santana Cannot Right the Already Sinking Ship Known as the New York Mets

Not so long ago, Johan Santana was untouchable. He took home the Cy Young award in 2004 and 2006, before coming to the New York Mets in 2008.

Many Mets fans saw this as a sign of a new era in Mets baseball. Unfortunately, they were wrong.

Since Santana’s arrival in New York, the team has finished higher than fourth only once, in 2008, and has been spared the cellar by only the lowly Nationals, who went on a spending spree this winter and are beginning to look like a contender.

Last year, the Mets sorely missed Santana, who was sidelined by surgery on his pitching shoulder. Until Tuesday afternoon, it had been over 18 months since he last pitched against major league competition. 

Although there is still a long way to go before the Mets can breathe, Santana tossed two shutout innings against St. Louis, finding the strike zone on 19 of his 27 pitches.

While he is still far removed from his Cy Young years in Minnesota, the Mets are counting on his return to help a struggling pitching staff that finished 13th in the National League in ERA (4.21) and BAA (.265) a year ago.

Despite this, the truth is that no pitcher is going to bring this team into contention. It’s time for the Mets to unload and rebuild, and here is how they can do this.

Don’t Build a Staff Around Santana

The free-agent class of 2013 features an array of arms, including Zach Greinke, Cole Hamels, Dan Haren and James Shields, to name a few. It’s time to accept the fact that Santana can’t save this team, no matter how good he once was.

Even after Tuesday’s start, there’s no guarantee his surgically repaired shoulder will hold up to a full season workload. By signing either one of these top-tier pitchers, or some of the lesser-known workhorses, such as a Ryan Dempster or Brett Myers, the club will get quality innings for a decent price.

David Wright Needs Some Help

Jose Reyes jumped ship down to Miami in hopes of making a title run with Hanley Ramirez, and the newly-assembled Miami Marlins.

This leaves David Wright exposed in a lineup that lacks much "pop," to say the least.  Apart from Wright, the Mets are relying on players like Jason Bay, who was never an offensive juggernaut, and still is not to this day.

Unless there is some dramatic, unforeseen improvements in the Big Apple, expect this to be Wright’s last season wearing a Mets’ uniform. A rebound year could bring in a nice package of prospects, especially from a contender in mid-July.

There is just no reason to keep Wright on the payroll if the team is not going to contend. In addition to this, Wright could demand a hefty contract, especially given Ryan Zimmerman’s recent contract extension with Washington.

Too Little Money, Too Much Drama

The 2012 Mets suffered a $40 million payroll cut from a year ago. After not even making an offer to Reyes, the front office failed to make any significant moves during the offseason.

Sandy Alderson thinks his team will contend and surprise some people in 2012. The only way this team is going to surprise anyone is if the injury plague decimates Miami, Philadelphia and Washington simultaneously.

Surrounding by constant financial troubles and legal proceedings, it is no wonder that this team has trouble focusing on baseball.

It’s time for new ownership that is serious about changing this underperforming squad into the latest rising power in the National League Central. Without a strict focus to the game, things only appear to be heading south over at Citi Field.