They'll stay in-house for the pen in 2009 ?

This isn't hindsight second guessing, I was screaming for the Mets to acquire a true set-up man all off season. I'll admit that some of the guys I suggested would have been just as bad as who we have but others would have really solidified this pen. My first idea would have been to over pay Francisco Cordero to set-up with the promise to close in 2010, then there was Dotel (4.04 ERA), Linebrink (2.57 ERA), Riske ( 5.31 ERA ) or Hawkins ( 4.25 ERA). Obviously Riske and Hawkins would have been mistakes but the others I think would have made solid contributions....

Moving forward I think Stokes, Smith and Feliciano will definitely be back. I don't see how Aaron Heilman can return, for every ones sake he needs to be moved. I also think they'll shop Schoneweis but he's decent enough against lefties in the 6-7 inning to stay if a good deal doesn't happen, the Mets let their back-up lefty go by DFA Willie Collazo. Duaner Sanchez is an interesting situation, he's obviously not the same pitcher and if the Mets do keep him he won't be looked at as a potential set-up man. I think Ayala will be re-signed and Rincon might get another invite if he wants it. I'll be very surprised if Knight or Al Reyes ( is he really here) return and they've already cut ties with Ruddy Lugo.

So with the pen imploding for the second year in row and Billy Wagner out for next year, I would have expected the Mets to be very aggressive in the relief market. But according to Ken Davidoff of Newday the Mets are likely to pass on K-Rod or Fuentes and look at in-house options. I would think the Mets would avoid making the same mistake twice, sometimes a group needs to be split-up and new blood brought in.......

If Luis Ayala can close all the way through the playoffs without incident, then he seems a cinch to return as a free agent. Among Ayala, the emerging Brian Stokes, youngster Bobby Parnell, whom scouts from other teams have regarded as a potential late-inning reliever, and other low-budget choices, the Mets - who have reminded people that Rivera once was a closer waiting for a chance - hope to find an answer. source Newsday

So other then the unusual suspects the Mets will look at Carlos Muniz who was projected to be a closer but due to his slow progress in the minors is 27 y/o and got lit up in the majors, Bobby Parnell who started this year in AA, struggled in AAA and had a very good inning last night and Eddie Kunz the AA closer who looked scared to death in his first major league outing, to go along with Ayala and Stokes.......