Buzz: The Closer’s Market will be Intense
The Mets believe they have enough minor-league talent to trade for a closer, such as M’s RHP J.J. Putz, A’s RHP Huston Street, O’s LHP George Sherrill, Royals RHP Joakim Soria and Marlins RHP Kevin Gregg, according to a recent report in Newsday.
Today, at FoxSports.com, Ken Rosenthal explains how the market for closers will be ‘intense,’ noting how teams could even offer Kerry Wood a three-year deal.
According to Rosenthal, “The Mets, for example, like Wood, but could not afford 
another risk… Another possibility for the Mets is to identify next year’s Brad Lidge - a late-inning reliever who would benefit from a change in clubs. None of the current closers appears to fit that description, but someone like the Cleveland’s Rafael Betancourt could be a possibility.”
The 33–year-old Betancourt had a 1.47 ERA in 68 games as a set-up man for the Indians in 2007, but was 3–4 with a 5.07 ERA in 69 games last season.
…i do not doubt this option, but, ultimately, coming off two consecutive disappointing finishes, in the first year of a new stadium, i just can’t see the Mets replacing Billy Wagner with a guy like betancourt – especially since the bullpen was the team’s biggest weakness last season, and something fans are pretty focused on…
…as i wrote a few days ago, i suspect the Mets will explore a trade for a closer, like a putz, or one of the names mentioned by davidoff, trusting Brian Fuentes will not sign a contract until after Francisco Rodriguez sets the bar…
