New York Mets' Winter Meetings Analysis

Now that the Winter Meetings are over, It's time to look back at the first half of baseball's Hot Stove season. Although winning the Hot Stove season doesn't necessarily translate to winning the pennant, it's hard to argue that the clear winners of baseball's offseason thus far, are the teams from New York. 

The Mets did right by their fans with the remaking of their bullpen. Each of the last two seasons the Mets have been eliminated from playoff contention on the last day of the season after leading the division by a decent margin just weeks before. 

Going into a new ballpark, the Mets really need to avoid a "three-peat," and they made great strides this week by dismantling and rebuilding the main culprit in last year's September collapse. 

With arguably the worst 'pen in the Majors last season, the Mets now have, at least potentially, one of the best.

The acquisition of Putz provides a dominant eighth-inning presence and some would argue a guy with filthier stuff than the guy he is setting up. It also provides tremendous insurance in case of injury to the closer—something the Mets did not have in 2008.

A rib-cage injury as well as some minor arm problems limited Putz contributions and effectiveness early on last season, but in the second half, J.J. bounced back to post a 4-2 record with 8 saves, a 2.96 ERA and 33 Ks in 27.1 IP for the Mariners. This, after back-to-back seasons where he was arguably the most dominant closer in the game. 

Sean Green is a fine middle reliever as well. A groundball-inducing machine, who is better against righties than lefties, he should be a fine fit considering the Mets Gold-Glove left-side of the infield. 

And let's not forget K-Rod. Coming off of a season where he set the single-season Major League saves record for the A.L. West Champion Angels, Frankie Rodriguez could be just what the doctor ordered.

Coming into the offseason, it appeared that he would command a deal in the neighborhood of $75 million over five years but increased supply coupled with decreased demand for closers resulted in a relative bargain for a pitcher of his caliber at three years and $37 million. 

These moves, along with the departure of Aaron Heilman and Joe Smith in the three-team 12-player trade that netted the Seattle relievers, allows a guy like Pedro Feliciano to go back to his role as a left-handed specialist, one he thrived in in 2006 and 2007. 

It also allows the Mets to bring along guys like Bobby Parnell and Eddie Kunz at the Major League level without being forced to throw them into situations that they really aren't ready for. 

Looking ahead the Mets still need to address several holes, the most glaring of which are a rotation spot and a corner outfield bat. 

Could the stars align in the proper way once again, allowing them to get Derek Lowe on their terms? 

Will the glut of corner outfield bats on the free agent market allow the Mets to add Raul Ibanez, Pat Burrell or Bobby Abreau to fill one of the glaring holes in the batting order?

If the first half of the Hot Stove season is any indication of what's to come, I think Omar Minaya may have a few more rabbits to pull out of his hat.

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