Johan Santana vs. Justin Verlander?

It's sad that the guy who was considered the best pitcher (not only in the AL, but in all of MLB) from 2004-2007 has suddenly taken the proverbial back seat, just because he was injured last season and pitches for the Mets, who posted an uncharacteristically weak offensive season, and were plagued by injuries throughout their roster.

Santana still posted the same SO/9 ratio in 2009 as he did in 2008, when he led the league in ERA (2.53), IP (234.1) and batters faced (964) and finished 3rd in Cy Young voting. Santana is not a fluke, it is only a matter of time before the that (potentially) explosive NY Mets offense wakes up, plays healthy, and the middle relief/closer come into their own, to provide enough protection and back-up to make him an NL CY champ for the first time.'

Santana is "older"? He'll be 31 this season, a typical PRIME of any pitchers career. Despite that Verlander's 27, the notion that Johan is disadvantaged by this age comparison is inaccurate, IMO.

Verlander posted career bests and led the American league in wins (19), IP (240), GS (35), SO (269), BF (982), SO/9 (10.1) and a posted a career low 1.175 WHIP. Just one year ago this guy led the league in losses (17) and posted a horrid 1.403 WHIP. Just because he's young, healthy, and had a career year, simply does not put him in the same ranking (or better, as you appear to suggest) as Johan Santana.

I think you're not considering YEARS of success here, but merely ONE STRONG YEAR, in your assessment. There's simply no way to know who'll be more successful this season, but I put my money on the 2-time CY champ:

Johan Santana:
20 W, 6 L, 2.66 ERA, 241 SO, 229 IP, 1.004 WHIP (Cy-1 or 2)

Justin Verlander
17 W, 11 L, 3.75 ERA, 228 SO, 236 IP, 1.263 WHIP (Cy-9)

Verlander will have the better season. The Tigers are better than the Mets and should be in the running for the AL Central title. I'm not convinced that Santana is 100%.

If Santana is healthy, he will probably have the better W-L, ERA, SO, CG, and nearly everything, except, Im not conviced yet that he could K more than Verlander when hes on.

well since i am a tigers fan and a mets fan too but i would have to say Justin Verlander will have the better season cause Every time Johan tries to get a win he has Shitty relievers to help seal the deal for a win. just face it if santana isn't in there to pitch the whole game he won't get a win. but this year could be different. but like i said Verlander will have the better year definitely.

Brandon Webb cube ok Carlos Zambrano Edinson Volquez Justin Verlander Roy Oswalt Brian Bannister CC Sabathia Johan Santana Mike Mussina Cole Hamels Jake Peavy Felix Hernandez Scott Kazmir Roy Hallady

Both Verlander and Santana have high K-Rates, and I think both will get over 15 wins this year. But Verlander, as much as Detroit loves him, has a problem: He always gives up 1 or 2 big innings for the other team, and Leyland has to leave him in because the bullpen pitchers are still warming up.
Meanwhile, Santana has an entirely different problem: RUN SUPPORT. A pitcher can throw a no-hitter, but his team HAS to have RUNS to win.

My official guess: Justin Verlander.

Johan Santana is a better pitcher, but he throws baseball very fast.

Santana because he has a better arm.