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It’s official, everyone. As expected, the Mets have declined the $25 million 2014 option on left-hander Johan Santana and will pay him a $5.5 million buyout. Santana, 34, missed the 2013 after tearing his anterior capsule in his pitching shoulder. He also missed the 2011 campaign with the same injury.
The Mets acquired Santana from the Minnesota Twins in 2008 in exchange for four prospects: Carlos Gomez, Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey, and Deolis Guerra. Santana battled injuries during his time with the Mets, though when healthy he was usually effective, sporting a 46-34 record with a 3.18 ERA in 109 starts and also throwing the first no-hitter in franchise history.
Moving forward, there is speculation that the Mets will attempt to sign him to a much less expensive one-year deal. With Matt Harvey and Jeremy Hefner out with injuries, there is a void in the rotation, though Santana’s own injury history makes the fit uncertain.