Santana, Please Don't Go...To The Classic

Ben Shpigel - NY Times reports that Omar Minaya is going to speak with Johan Santana about forgoing this Springs' World Baseball Classic.

Minaya and the Mets have concerns about Santana over-doing it on his recently surgically repaired knee. This, on top of a career high 234.1 innings pitched, and with the Mets on the hook for another five years and $118 M committed to Santana is enough for the Mets to be concerned.

In the first 'Classic', Luis Ayala blew out an elbow, Ricardo Rincón, Francisco Liriano and Bartolo Colón all battled elbow or shoulder problems, and Jake Peavy and Dontrelle Willis were among the pitchers who had subpar seasons.

Although the Mets are 'pro' Classic, they would prefer if their Ace declined Venezuela's invitation to play.