Johan Santana joined the laundry list of injured Mets last season when he hit the disabled list in August. With spring training starting up in Port St. Lucie, Fla., Santana is back on a mound and as confident as ever.
Even though the Phillies added new ace Roy Halladay, Santana is still convinced he’s the top dog in the NL East, the New York Post reports.
When asked who the division’s best pitcher is, the Venezuelan didn’t mince words.
“Santana,” he responded.
The lefty admits that the Phillies are improved from last season, but Santana likes the Mets’ chances to win the East — and more.
“My plan is definitely to win the World Series,” Santana told the Post. “That is definitely what we want to do and that's what we've got in mind.”
That’s a bold goal for a team that finished 22 games under .500 in 2009, but Santana is banking on being healthy all season in 2010.
The two-time Cy Young winner had bone chips removed from his pitching elbow after shutting it down last year, but has been throwing off of a mound for over a month. Though he’ll be held back in the beginning of spring camp, Santana is ready to deliver.
"I'm able to let it go," Santana told the Post. "I'm able to throw my fastball with no problems and throw my breaking balls and my changeup without feeling that sharp pain in the back of my elbow. “
For $21 million a year, the Mets sure hope it stays that way.
