25
2008
Two Closers Are Better Than One
An article by 
Joel Sherman of the New York Post, reports that soon after the Colorado Rockies acquired Huston Street in the Matt Holliday deal, the Mets checked in and made an offer for Street.
Sherman explains that the Mets wanted to trade reliever Aaron Heilman, but that the Rockies wanted Pedro Feliciano as well.
The Mets said no, and that was the end of the negotiations.
I would have pulled the trigger on that… Not only would we have jettisoned Heilman out of here, but it would have given the Mets more leverage in a K-Rod deal.
In his article, Sherman also writes,
“The more I talk to Met officials the more I sense they want to use Street as the eighth-inning guy and still obtain a closer such as Brian Fuentes or Francisco Rodriguez. The Mets recognize they do not just have a ninth-inning problem, but that their whole late-inning contingent was troublesome.”
As I wrote last week, the Mets need more than just a closer, they need to construct a bridge to the closer with a reliable setup man and two reliable specialists.
I believe we have a solid righty specialist in Joe Smith. After that it’s just a wild gamble. If somehow Feliciano and Schoeneweis are back next season, I guess one of them would be the lefty specialist, though I’d rather have a fresh face in the role.
I do like the Mets thought process on this though, and I am glad they feel the need to get not just one closer, but a second one as backup who will fill the setup role until he is needed.
It’s a solid plan.
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
Went to my first Mets game, a Mayors Trophy game at Shea, in '73. We beat the Yankees 8-4 and I was hooked. I marched in two Banner Day parades, and before the Grand Slam single, there was the "Hendu Can Do" grand slam - I was there. I've collected Mets memorabilia all my life and started Mets Merized Online to feed my addiction.
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My biggest thing is to get a relief pitcher who can face both righties and lefties.
The Mets have too many specialists, and it killed them this season.
holy crap, i would of done that deal in a second. Heilman and Feliciano for Street? Come on Mets! thats a great trade!
I think we all know that this bullpen needs to be destroyed so we can rebuild it. I think every single Met fan knew this before the season even ended. If they want to get rid of everybody in that pen including feliciano and smith then that’s fine with me. I still feel strong they will end up with K-Rod but as far as the rest of the pen goes ?! I’m a fan of Juan Cruz, I think he can be an 8th inning guy. I hear Biemel wants 3 years but if the mets don’t want to invest that long a contract to a guy who’s a lefty specialist then how bout going after will ohman ??! any ohamn fans here ? Brandon Lyon wasn’t exactly sharp as a closer but had a strong year the year before as an 8th inning set up guy to valverde. Dennys reyes another lefty coming off a strong year. Let’s not forget the trade route and once again it’s still early in the off season. I want to wish everybody a happy thanksgiving !
If I get Huston Street, I don’t want to tack on another guy for 4 years. Street’s young enough where if he finds his stuff again, can potentially be an excellent closer. If they do trade for Street, I’d look to get a more stopgap, 1-2 year deal guy. Trevor Hoffman comes to mind, or Chad Cordero, maybe even Brandon Lyon.
OOHHH man I would have done that trade. Heilman and Feliciano for Street sounds like a great trade for the Mets. I would then sign Chad Cordero in a deal full of incentives and then sign K-Rod to a 4 yr deal. This would solidify our bull pen. Trade Heilman, Feliciano and spend some cash for 3 potential closers that are 27 yrs old or younger? Omar what are you waiting for?
How about Heilman, Evans, and Feliciano for Street and Manny Corpas or Jeff Baker. Corpas has shown some major potential, while Baker can play about anywhere and would be a solid right-handed bat off the bench.
I don’t get the fascination with Chad Cordero…
Realistic bullpen:
Fuentes
Street
Smith
Stokes
Schoeneweis
Parnell/Kunz
someone off the scrap heap (Cordero, Juan Rincon, Kiko Calero)
I do not know why we did not throw in Feliciano. I like him but hes not untouchable. How about a trade proposal… Heilman, Feliciano, Chuch and Castillo to Arizona for Byrnes, Valverde and Rauch.