Well, with the winter meetings over, I think it’s time to evaluate the work the Mets did in Sin City.  First off, it’s nice to see some action from Omar and the guys.  I realize that trades and signing players takes time, but to be completely honest, I was getting a little tired of hearing all the speculation and guessing what might happen and who might be a Met next year.  It’s great to see our 09 roster (coughBULLPENcough) is taking shape.

First: WE GOT K-ROD!  WooHoo!!!  I’m so glad to see that K-Rod will be a Met next year.  I’ve been hoping we’d get him all offseason and it’s nice to see that everything’s official.  I was actually in class when the first report came out, but luckily my brother texted me and I had to restrain myself from jumping up and down (though, my professor might have understood–he’s also a Mets fan…can you believe in Indiana there are now two Mets fans??  Crazy, I know).  I think he’ll be a great addition to the team.  Not only will we finally have a real closer (let’s be honest, it really was losing Billy Wagner that cost us the postseason), but it will be a huge comfort for the rest of the team and the fans.  No longer will I dread heading into the 9th with less than a 3 run lead.  Looks like my stress level will be much lower in April.  Also, he seems really excited to be a Met (I know they all have to say it, but I choose to believe that he means it!).  I loved hearing him talk about wanting to win a championship and being in the right place for it.  Now let’s not waste time on that boys!

My opinion on the Seattle/Cleveland/New York trade: it’s really bittersweet for me.  I like that we have another two guys in our bullpen, including another closer (think about it, in a matter of 4 hours, we went from having no closer to too many closers…good position to be in!) who seems to be pretty good.  In one article I read, someone said the Mets only have to play a 21-out game with those two for the 8th and 9th.  However, I would prefer that the Mets play all 27 outs, thank you!  Still, it’s nice to hear experts say stuff like the Mets won’t have a bullpen headache in 09…much comfort for the fans!  I also think it’s funny that people are calling Jeremy Reed our 4th outfielder…do Tatis and Murphy only count as half a person?  I know what they mean, but I think it’s a little funny.  From what I’ve read about Green, he seems pretty decent too.  And hey Mets fans, last time we had a Sean Green (well, Shawn Green) on our team, we played well into October….I think it’s a sign!  Haha, please allow me my optimism.

As far as the players we lost, I wish none of them had to go.  Aaron Heilman was the easiest to lose, but only because it was very much expected.  I really wish he could have stayed (hey, he’s my Notre Dame connection to the team!) but I understand that the Mets needed him in a role that he wasn’t comfortable with.  Joe Smith was a bit of a surprise–from all I had read, he sounded like the one guy in our bullpen that wasn’t going anywhere.  I will never forget the one broadcast that showed him walking out to the bullpen wearing the Hello Kitty backpack with a pink bubble on his cap (which reminds me how much I want Castro to stay on the team!).  But the biggest (and worst) shock of this trade was the loss of Endy Chavez.  I adore Endy and I really can’t believe he won’t be a Met next year.  The first thing I thought was that I guess this means no more incredible catches in left field…  I’m really going to miss him and will definitely be rooting for him and Heilman on the Mariners next year.  I like this trade, but it’s just hard to say goodbye to players that you like, even if it is their time to leave.

So I read an article yesterday all about how the New York teams won the Winter Meetings.  The basic argument for each team winning that I got was such: the Mets went in and got a great deal for the market’s best closer, while targeting the biggest issue on the team and trading for two more relievers and an outfielder.  The team did a great job of making smart trades and have seriously improved their team for the 2009 season.  The Yankees severly overpaid for Sabathia, but they got him regardless.  Ok, maybe I’m a little bias, but that’s just the impression I got!

So now the Mets have to start thinking about their starting pitching.  I don’t know how I feel about trying to get Lowe–he sounds good, but I understand other teams might want him more.  I wouldn’t mind resigning Ollie, although I would prefer it under the condition that he promise that he’ll be pitching like he did in July-August.  To be completely honest, I would also love to see Pedro back with the team.  I believe that he did have a rough year with his father dying and injuries, etc, so maybe his 09 season will be much more “typical Pedro” but mainly, I just want his personality to stay on the team. I always joke he gets more camera time in the dugout then he does when he’s pitching.  I love seeing him in a Mets uniform, and I wish that it works out and he’s still in New York next year.  That being said, if we don’t keep him and instead get a pitcher who’ll win in double digits for us and help us win the pennant, I think I could get over losing Pedro.

All in all, I think the Mets had a productive week in Vegas (and please find me someone who’ll argue that) and I look forward to seeing the rest of the offseason action!