It looks like the Mets actually have a chance at not having an awful bullpen next year.  In the past 24 hours, the Mets have made some sweeping changes to their bullpen.

Out with old:

Wagner – OK, this didn’t happen in the past 24 hours, but its worth noting. His Mets’ (and in all likelihood, his baseball) career ended last September with an elbow ligament tear, leaving a gaping hole in an already porous bullpen.

Heilman – This guy was to blame for more headaches, heartaches and homicidal tendencies among Mets fans over the past few years than anyone I can remember.  And, yes, I remember Armando.  Either way, he’s Seattle’s problem, now.  Or is it Cleveland?  Heck, he could be sent to Toledo and it wouldn’t make a difference to me.  He’s gone!

Smith – I’m not at all happy to see this guy go.  His has his problems against lefties, but there weren’t too many people in baseball better against righties.  He had a kick ass delivery, he impressed more often that not, and he was home-grown.  Oh well.  You can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.

In with the new:

Francisco Rodriguez – The good: He holds the single season saves record.  He averages more than a strikeout per inning.  He has never posted an ERA over 3.03.  The bad: His velocity, strikeout rate, and innings pitched have been in decline over the past few years, and his delivery makes it look like his arm could detach from the socket on any given pitch.  The ugly: His on-the-mound theatrics won’t do anything to help the Mets’ reputation as an arrogant bunch of a-holes.

JJ Putz – After posting one of the best seasons ever by a reliever in 07, Putz fell back to earth in 08.  He’s still a very good pitcher who should help the Mets nail down the 8th inning.

Sean Green – No. Not Shawn Green. He’s retired (and probably down in Boca). This one looks to be something of a middle-of-the-road righty reliever.  He probably won’t make up completely for the loss of Smith, but I’m sure he won’t embarass himself completely.

What’s next?

The Mets have done a good job so far filling in the bullpen, but now it’s time to look at the team’s other priorities:

1. Fill out the rotation: Santana, Maine, Pelfrey, ?, ?
   I’d be interested in bringing Oliver Perez back for “reasonable” money/years (3 years, $25-$30 mil).  I’d be disappointed if John Garland was the best they could get this offseason.  I think they should at least chat with some of the bigger names out there. Ben Sheets may take a limited year deal to show he’s healthy.
2. Ditch Luis Castillo and bring in Orlando Hudson.  This will be tough because Castillo is pretty much immovable (as a trading chip as well as a 2nd baseman), and other teams will be making offers to Hudson before the Mets comfortably can.
3. Leftfield.  My idea: Offer Manny Ramirez 2 years at $44 million.  3rd year mutual option at $26 million or he gets an $8 million buyout.  Plus incentives.  Gives him a guaranteed $52 mil, and the Mets are only committed for their two first years of CitiField sellout crowd cash.  This is, of course, a pipe dream.
4. DITCH SHOENWEISS. You don’t even need to replace him.  You don’t need to get anything in return in a trade.  Just make sure this guy is not on the roster on April 1.

Just as a closing note, I want to point out that I’m probably not in good shape if I couldn’t come up with a single Putz joke.