Mets Sign K-Rod

The New York Mets signed K-Rod on December 11,2008 and have replaced former closer BIlly Wagner who will be out all of the 2009 season with an elbow surgery. K-Rod had 62 saves last season for the Los Angeles Angeles which tops the major leagues and also has 142 over the last three seasons also tops in the majors.K-Rod is 27 years old and has developed an outstanding changeup pitch over the last season and has a excellent fastball. K-Rod is being paid 37 million over 3 years and deserves every penny of it and as long as he produces the same results he did with the Los Angeles Angels he will be well welcomed in New York.

The new York Mets also acquired a few more players on December 11, 2008. J.J. Putz, Jeremy Reed, and Sean Green all signed on with the mets as well. J.J. Putz is a relief pitcher coming from the Seattle Mariners and will be the set up man for the new closer K-Rod. Jeremy Reed also coming from the Seattle Mariners is an outfielder and will be fighting for a starting role in spring training. Sean Green is a right handed reliever from the Detrot Tigers and the Mets need more quality relievers after their season ending collapse the last two years where the pitching was mostly to blame for the losses. The New York Mets did have to give up four young prospects along with veteran Met Aaron Heilman and Endy Chavez to acquire all these players but it should be worth it in this upcoming 2009 season.

The New York Mets ended last season in second place in the National League Eastern Division and missed the playoffs by half a game. Two straight seasons the New York Mets have lost the final game of the season and lost their chance at moving on to the playoffs. They have certainly been the team to beat in the regular season but cannot seem to convert down the stretch to make it to the playoffs. All they need is a few more good pitchers and a little bit more consistency and there will be no worries about the end of the season collapses. General Manager Omar Minaya has done an excellent job of building this championship caliber team and is continuing to do so this off season and with new Manager Jerry Manuel at the helm we should have a great season and barring any season ending injuries should go all the way.