Mets 2010 Trade Needs – Bullpen

Another big game from our ace who is now 2-0 with a 0.39 ERA in 4 starts this month and if we had a reliable closer he would be 3-0.

Johan Santana has made an awesome comeback, has retaken the team lead in ERA at 2.98 and lead’s the team in K’s with 83. He should also have the team lead in wins but the Mets bullpen and offense have not always been as good.

After yesterday’s game, the Mets biggest pressing need is some bullpen help because our closer could have a 10 win season with 20 blown saves at the rate he’s going and that’s going to cost the Mets a spot at the playoffs.

Unless we find a flaw in K-Rod’s delivery and correct it fast, as Santana has recently done, the Mets really should consider making a trade at the trading deadline for a reliever.

There are a few good relievers available this year and I have my eyes on a few of them. Joakim Sorio of the Royals comes to mind but if he is available both NY teams may chase him. You can’t pass up a someone who already has 25 saves and a 2.43 ERA. I’m sure the Yankees are looking for replacements for Mariano and this could be the guy.

Octavio Otel of the Pirates would be a good fit since he’s already played in NY and Kevin Gregg of Toronto, who is having a very nice year with 23 saves, would be another good option. That’s a few saves better than our closer. Toronto doesn’t figure to have any shot at a run at the playoffs so this could be an option. Come to think of it, Toronto’s whole bullpen could be available via trade as Jason Fraser and Scott Downs could also be available.

So there certainly are some options out there to strengthen the bullpen which I feel is this teams Achilles heal.

Of course it could be worse. We could have Aaron Heilman on this team who has 3 saves and 4 blown saves with the Diamondbacks. Let’s hope the Diamondbacks bring Heilman in for a few games in the next few days. That would be fun to watch.