New Look Mets Will Mean Business In '09

The Mets did quite a job this week in fixing their main problem, the bullpen. That problem cost them a playoff spot down the stretch in 2007 and 2008. In a matter of hours the Mets were able to land 2 top notch closers to assure themselves that there will be no encore performance of the recent collapses.

In signing Francisco Rodriguez the Mets got one of the game's best closers. Last season as everyone knows he saved a single-season record 62 games. I believe he will do just fine in New York and he will be able to handle the pressure. He's young, he's energetic, he's talented, he's the right man for the job. A day after getting K-Rod, the Mets went out and got closer JJ Putz from the Seattle Mariners in a 3 team trade. This move put the Mets over the hump and gave them the advantage over the Phillies in the quest for NL East crown. Putz is a closer and it's yet to be seen if he will adapt well to being K-Rod's set-up man but you have to like their chances. Mets GM Omar Minaya brought his A game to the Winter Meetings. He got rid of sour faced Aaron Heilman and didn't give up much to gain Putz. He also didn't break the bank in getting the best closer in baseball not named Mariano Rivera. He turned the Mets from jokes to contenders in the matter of hours. Now, let's see how long it takes for Met fans to call for Minaya's head during the season. Let's be serious here, it'll happen at some point.

The Mets have the best starter in baseball in Johan Santana and they have K-Rod but that doesn't even put them as the main attraction in the city. The Yankees have a big lefty of their own, CC Sabathia and they have the best closer of all time in Rivera. The back page of the newspapers will be a fight for supremcy.

All in all I gotta the Mets credit where it's due. The Mets appear to be the front runners for the NL Pennant but of course it's only December and the games have to played on the field, not on paper. I'll tell you one thing, I can't win for the Subway Series between the Mets and Yankees. That first Santana-Sabathia match up is going to be great.
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