Analysis: Deal Putz Mets on fast track

I haven't changed my mind on Francisco Rodriguez -- I still think that the Mets and their fans should be worried about his slip in strikeout rate, drop in velocity and rising walk rate -- but the Mets' bullpen today looks like a force to be reckoned with thanks to a stupendous blockbuster trade last night. Mets acquire RHP J.J. Putz, RHP Sean Green and OF Jeremy Reed, give up RHP Aaron Heilman, RHP Joe Smith, LHP Jason Vargas, OF Endy Chavez, and three minor leaguers (1B Mike Carp, OF Ezequiel Carrera and RHP Maikel Cleto): My major concern with the signing of Rodriguez was that he didn't make the Mets' bullpen any better than it was before Billy Wagner got hurt. The signing represented Omar Minaya doing the easy thing -- using the Mets' financial might to bring in the biggest name on the free-agent closer market. This is brilliant -- in addition to getting Putz, who is just a year removed from the Rolaids Relief Man award, Minaya managed to get rid of Heilman -- not just get rid of him, send ... (link)