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This Day in Baseball History

Ray Stubblebine / Reuters

2008 - Twins trade Johan Santana to Mets

After missing out on winning the National League East by a single game in 2007, New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya bolsters his rotation by acquiring two-time American League Cy Young winner Johan Santana.

The Mets ship outfielder Carlos Gomez, along with pitchers Phil Humber, Kevin Mulvey and Deolis Guerra to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for Santana, who later agrees to a six-year, $137.5-million deal with New York. 

Santana enjoys immediate success in Queens, compiling a 29-16 record and 2.78 ERA over his first two seasons while finishing top-3 in Cy Young voting in 2008. The left-hander spends four seasons with the Mets before injuries derail his career, but not before pitching the first no-hitter in Mets history in 2012.

The return for the Twins proves to be less fruitful. 

While three of the four prospects reached the majors with the Twins, their contributions were limited.

Gomez appears in 290 games over two seasons but struggles at the plate, hitting .248/.293/.352 with 10 home runs, 12 triples and 47 stolen bases before being traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for J.J. Hardy.

Humber made 13 unsuccessful appearances out of the bullpen, crafting a 6.10 ERA and 2.03 WHIP. He departs via free agency in 2009.

Mulvey pitches in two games for the Twins, allowing four runs in 1 1/3 innings, while Guerra remained in the team's system until signing a minor-league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates last year.

Birthdays

1960 - Steve Sax
1973 - Jason Schmidt
1986 - Jair Jurrjens
1987 - Jose Abreu
1987 - Alex Avila
1988 - Hank Conger

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