Healthy, confident Santana: I'm the best pitcher in NL East

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Upon yesterday's arrival, Johan Santana didn't predict the Mets will win a division title or World Series crown, as David Wright had only 24 hours earlier. But the two-time Cy Young Award winner made it clear he isn't taking a backseat to anybody with the ball in his hand.

When asked point-blank about whom he considers the best pitcher in the National League East, Santana didn't waffle, even now that Roy Halladay is employed by the Phillies.

"In our division?" he asked. "Santana."

The answer wasn't surprising. Santana's confidence is equal to his pitching ability, and few can match him in that department. Last season's surgery to remove bone chips from his left elbow no doubt makes him even better heading into this year. The last time Santana had a similar operation, in 2003 with the Twins, he bounced back to go 20-6 with a 2.61 ERA and win his first Cy Young Award in 2004.

Could he follow the same script this season?

"My plan is to definitely win the World Series," Santana said. "That's what we want to do. That's what we got in mind. If I win the Cy Young, great. I feel good. I'm going to compete, that's for sure. I'm going to try to do my best every time that I'm out there, and we'll see at the end where we end up. That's what we want to do. So if we stay healthy, we're definitely going to have a good chance."

In the Mets' case, that's always a very big if, but at least Santana should be in the clear. When he showed up for spring training a year ago, he was coming off knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus, then complained of left triceps tendinitis that had the Mets worried about his status for Opening Day.

Santana made that start, and he went 7-2 with a 1.77 ERA during the first two months. At that point, just as many were picking him for a third Cy Young, Santana began to look mortal, going 6-7 with a 4.02 ERA in the last 15 starts leading up to season-ending elbow surgery.

Even before then, Santana was trying to pitch without being able to fully extend his left arm - and doing so with moderate success. The post-surgery Santana will be different in that he finally will look like himself again on the mound.

"Well, I can straighten my arm, for sure," Santana said. "The range of motion is back. I'm able to throw all my pitches. That's something that didn't happen last year. Just to feel good and knowing that my elbow is healthy is a good sign.

"I can 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 now. I'll be able to throw all my pitches pain-free, so that's a big plus for me."

With the Mets' first official workout for pitchers and catchers scheduled for tomorrow, Santana spent time in the weight room Thursday but did not join in any of the bullpen sessions. He spoke glowingly about the three pitchers behind him in the rotation and did not criticize the front office for failing to sign one of the more significant starters on the market.

"I don't deal with the stuff that they have to do upstairs," Santana said. "They feel that they have the right pieces to go this year. We feel the same way. It's always good to improve. But at the same time, we have to be realistic. This is what we've got and this is what we're going to go with. We're going to be ready.

"There's a lot of comments on this team not being ready to go or not being a contender. I feel I'm a contender because I'm a competitor. Whatever attacks they put on us is fine. At the same time, we won't be surprised if we win. If we do the things right, if we stay healthy, it may surprise a lot of people out there, but not us."