Minaya did a good job with the bench and bullpen in 2006 but for the past 2 years now he's just brought the same guys back. You can't do that and expect everyone to keep being successful.
But isn't the K-Rod move (along with all the rumors) evidence that that may not be the case this year, regardless of how we feel about past years? We con complain in March if not much has changed, but right now, so far, so good.
Star-Ledger reporting that we're in serious talks with Seattle to trade Heilman and Mike Carp for Putz. This would be huge, I think; Carp isn't really a major part of our future, and Heilman's...well, Heilman.
Apparently we might give up 6 players in this deal, most notably Joe Smith and Endy Chavez. If we give up 6 guys for just Putz, I'm going to be very confused, but I doubt that's what's happening.
The deal keeps changing...the Seattle beat guy has Reed in Cleveland. I'd be cool with that version of it, by the way; that'd be great.
This type of deal is definitely out of the box but if we can get an 8th and 9th inning combo of K-rod and Putz, it would definitely be a large upgrade over what we were looking at last year. Although we would still need to fill in the bullpen depth a bit those type of pitchers wouldn't be a high priority.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081210&content_id=3712317&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp Mariners deal Putz in three-team trade Seattle acquires Mets pitcher Heilman, three other players By Jim Street / MLB.com LAS VEGAS -- The Seattle Mariners sent right-handed reliever J.J. Putz to the New York Mets on Wednesday night as part of a three-team, nine-player trade with the Cleveland Indians. The blockbuster deal, which is the first for Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik, was confirmed on Wednesday night by a Major League official. The Mariners receive right-handed pitcher Aaron Heilman, outfielder Endy Chavez and first baseman Mike Carp from the Mets, along with outfielder Franklin Gutierrez from the Indians. Putz, who has been involved in trade rumors for several weeks, becomes the eighth-inning setup man for new Mets closer Frankie Rodriguez. Second baseman Luis Valbuena will go the Indians, who also get right-handed pitcher Joe Smith from the Mets in the deal. Mariners right-handed reliever Sean Green and center fielder Jeremy Reed also are going to the Mets in the trade.
Geoff Baker says a previous incarnation with the Rays instead of the Mets fell apart. In that deal, the Tigers would've included Jeff Larish.
Finally Heilman is gone. Glavine stayed one year too long (well, he should have never been here in the first place, but you know what I mean) and Heilman stayed here two years too long.
You're not a Mets fan so the fact that Glavine played for a hated division rival and was past his prime when he came to the Mets may not resonate with you.
It's a weird deal; we randomly swap 4th outfielders and righty groundball guys, so it's essentially Heilman and Carp for Putz. A slam dunk, I think.
What is that in reference to? I have worn a Mets cap everyday since September. There were a several days in August when I wore an Angels cap, but that hat was trashed due to being worn out and old. It takes some balls to wear a Mets hat where I live because there are a lot of Phillies fans by me. If there is a way to quit a team, let me know how to do so.
Turns out Jason Vargas and two minor leaguers I've never heard of are in the deal as well. So we're giving up 7 guys: Smith, Heilman, Chavez, Carp, Vargas, and two minor leaguers for Putz, Green, and Reed. We're giving up a lot in quantity but really not a lot in quality. I'm pretty happy about this.
If Putz turns back into the guy he was in 2006-2007, this is a ridiculously good trade for the Mets. He had a terrible first half of 2008, but had a good second half (2.53 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in August and September), so he's a very reasonable 8th inning guy if he just pitches like that, and can step in for Rodriguez if necessary. Joe Smith was useful, and we'll always love Endy, but this seems to be a great deal for the Mets. Burnett and Lowe seem to be ascending out of the Mets' price range, so I wonder if they're going to make a serious run at Ollie?
I think it'll depend on what happens with Burnett and Lowe. If the Yankees sign Burnett (and that seems to be the best bet right now), then they'll be out of the Lowe sweepstakes according to SI. Philly is out as well according to Jason Stark, so the market might be open for the Mets. Maybe, maybe not. If not, they'll try and get Ollie I think, but most likely we're looking at Wolf or Garland I bet, which I'm cool with. We might get Smoltz for an incentive-laden deal as well. I agree with your trade analysis as well. Endy's the man, but this is a no-brainer.
