LAS VEGAS – Both the Star-Ledger and MLB.com are reporting the Mets are in serious discussions to acquire closer J.J. Putz to pitch in the eighth inning.

The 32 year-old lost his closer job last season when the Seattle Mariners elevated Brandon Morrow to the ninth.

The names be tossed around on the Mets end are Aaron Heilman, Joe Smith and Mike Carp and there could be a third team [Cleveland] involved as well.

If consummated, this would be a great deal for the Mets as Putz only makes $5.5 million next season, which is perfect for an eighth inning guy. He also has a team option in 2010 for $9.1 million [or a $1 million buyout]. Also the Amazins will get a setup man with closer experience which is something they are looking for, since they got burned last season when Bill Wagner went down with an injury.

Last season Putz went 6-5 with a 3.88 ERA and 15 saves in 47 games for the Mariners. But in 2007, he had a banner year with a 6-1 record, a 1.38 ERA and 40 saves in 68 games.

Posted under Hot Stove, Trade, Winter Meetings

LAS VEGAS – Alright, the Mets have gotten their closer and if nothing else happens during the next day at the Bellagio, the Winter Meetings have to be considered a success.That said, there’s still more work to do to make this a successful off-season. Besides their bullpen makeover, which includes an eighth inning setup man, the Mets need at least one starter.With both Pedro Martinez and Oliver Perez free agents, there are obvious holes in the Mets rotation. As of right now, the team seems content to allowing Jon Niese a spot, one that Jerry Manuel said may be bestowed upon him based on his September, rather than earned in Spring Training.

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Posted under Commentary, Free Agency, Hot Stove, Nysd, Winter Meetings

It’s obvious the Mets will dip into the free agent market to sign a closer over the next few weeks and with the Amazins being the only large market team, they will have their choice.

Although I have heard some in the organization still rather trade for JJ Putz, obvious choices are the “Big Four”

1. Francisco Rodriguez – Some published reports have him at No. 1, and at three years, who can blame the club for going for the holder of the single season save record. Yet, he’s not the strikeout pitcher of a few years ago and there are questions about his long term durability. That being said, if the Mets can get him on a three-year deal, it will be worth it.
2. Brian Fuentes – He’s pitched in the National League and he’s lefthanded, which is something the Mets like. Going into the off-season, he would have been the No. 1 choice, but with K-Rod’s price coming down, Fuentes goes on the back burner. If he’s out there and his price comes down, Fuentes becomes a good eighth inning option.
3. Kerry Wood - A darkhorse a few weeks ago, Wood actually looks to be the best option, because he can still come in with the strikeout, something that K-Rod may not have anymore. Yet, Wood has always been injury prone, so Wood looks like a pass unless something major happens.
4. Trevor Hoffman – Let’s see. He’s old. He has great numbers on paper and he falls apart in big spots. He’s the perfect Met closer. That said, I don’t see where he will fit into the equation.

Any thoughts on your end?

Posted under Hot Stove, New York Mets

Joel Sherman wrote on his blog, the Mets offered Aaron Heilman to the Rockies for Huston Street, but Colorado refused and countered with Heilman and Pedro Feliciano.

Although they said no, they could go back and revist the trade at another time. Sherman goes on to say, the Mets want to have Street as an eighth inning man because of the experience as a closer. They learned a lesson from Billy Wagner. If a closer goes down they want someone who will be able to take over the ninth. Street gives them that.

Posted under Hot Stove, New York Mets

Apparently, I’m not off to a good start following the playoffs. It is the eighth inning of the Phillies’ game. I can assume most of you aren’t pulling for the Phillies, but with the Mets not in it, will you watch with a rooting interest if you watch at all.

I’m an underdog rooter, so I want Tampa Bay to run the table. That would drive George crazy, by the way.

Posted under New York Mets

In early June there was no way Carlos Delgado would return to the Mets. The team would undoubtedly give him a $4 million buyout as opposed to picking up his $12 million option.

Then he had a week in one afternoon at Yankee Stadium and never looked back. While the Mets floundered in September, Delgado sizzled, hitting .340 with eight homers and 22 RBI. He finished the season batting .271 with 38 homers and 115 RBI.

Those numbers warrant a return for 2009.

“I’d like to be back. I like this group of guys,” Delgado said. “I think they’re a great team. There’s a lot of talent here. In my stage, you don’t want to be bouncing around any more than you absolutely have to. The decision is in their hands.”

Since the Mets would pay Delgado $4 million regardless because of the buyout, it’s really only an $8 million investment they would be making. That’s not much in the grand scheme of things. The Mets have five days after the World Series to make a decision.

Delgado said he’d like to play several more years, but considering his off-year in 2007 and how long it took for him to get started this season, the Mets would be wise to make him earn the extension and not do anything until the end of 2009.

Should the Mets go the buyout route, there aren’t many appealing options in the free-agent market. Here’s what’s available:

Rich Aurilia (37)
Hank Blalock (28) – $6.2MM club option for ‘09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Sean Casey (34)
Tony Clark (37)
Carlos Delgado (37) – $12MM club option for ‘09 with a $4MM buyout
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Jason Giambi (38) – $22MM club option for ‘09 with a $5MM buyout
Wes Helms (33) – $3.75MM club option for ‘09 with a $0.75MM buyout
Eric Hinske (31)
Doug Mientkiewicz (35)
Kevin Millar (37)
Richie Sexson (34)
Mark Teixeira (29)
Daryle Ward (34)

Should the Mets bring him back or not?

Posted under New York Mets

The Mets announced today the top ten moments at Shea Stadium:

1. Game Six of the 1986 World Series highlighted by the Bill Buckner team.
2. Mike Mike Piazza’s dramatic two-run home run in the eighth inning, Sept. 21, 2001, to beat the Braves in New York City’s first sporting event after the 9-11 attacks on America.
3. The Mets beat the heavily-favored Baltimore Orioles, 5-3, in Game Five of the 1969 World Series.
4. Endy Chavez’ Game Seven 2006 NLCS catch.
5. The Mets 7 1986 World Series victory.
6. Robin Ventura’s “Grand Slam Single” in Game Five of the 1999 NLCS.
7. The Beatles play Shea, Aug. 15, 1965.
8. The Mets, on June 30, 2000, scored 10 runs in the eighth inning vs. Atlanta.
9. Tom Seaver’s one-hitter against Chicago.
10. Todd Pratt’s walk-off home run in Game Four of the NLDS vs. Arizona.

Let’s talk about them during the game, if there is a game. For the second straight season the Mets’ last hurdle to October are the Florida Marlins.

“We have three games left and it’s going to be hard,” said Carlos Beltran, who is hitting .315 (17-for-54) with three home runs and 12 RBIs against Florida this season.

The Mets are 9-6 against the Marlins this season, including 4-2 at Shea. None of that success is by Mike Pelfrey, who is 0-3 with a 7.91 ERA in four starts against the Marlins this season and 1-4 lifetime in seven appearances.

Posted under New York Mets

Johan Santana pitches tonight for the split at Washington. After last night’s game, Jerry Manuel said his expectations for Santana were to go 170 pitches. He was joking, but after sending out seven relievers last night you had to wonder if there wasn’t a grain of truth to what he was saying.

We all know about how Santana has been shortchanged by his teammates this season, both in run support and bullpen help.

He really does need to get at least into the eighth inning tonight. Nine would be even better.

Luis Ayala closed last night. It’s probably a good assumption to think the same tonight.

Posted under New York Mets