Heilman pushes the issue....

Most Mets fans ( including myself ) don't want to see Aaron Heilman return next year to the Mets and I think if he could be honest (instead of politically correct) Heilman would say he doesn't want to return. I've said all along I believe Heilman will be a good pitcher but I think too much has gone on here for it to happen with the Mets. Plain and simple Aaron is a classic case of a player who needs a change of scenery and whether it's fair or not he has become the poster child for the bullpen woes and the Mets fans need him moved to exorcise the demons of the last two years.....

I think Heilman, who is a very smart man senses the crossroad that the team and his career are at and is willing to push for this divorce. Before the 2006 season it was rumored that Aaron wanted to start or be traded but the timing wasn't right and he quickly denied it. Two years later his agent is boldly stating the Heilman wants to start or be traded. Now he knows the Mets have no intention of allowing him to start ( which I would have given a shot numerous times) so by making such a demand he is only attempting to hasten an inevitable parting of ways. The Mets have no obligation to meet his demands but Omar has always been considered a players front office and I can't see him forcing an unhappy player to stay, He'll find him a trade.......

"The object the entire time has never been to get out of New York," Heilman's agent Mark Rodgers told the Daily News. "The object is to get out of the bullpen. The most success he's ever had as a pitcher has been as a starting pitcher. He was drafted by the Mets as a starting pitcher." source Daily News

With that said on an interesting note Robin Quin of the Tampa Bay Rays Examiner sees a package headlined by Heilman for Jackson or Sonnanstine as the most feasible of all the Rays rumors so far this off-season....

A lot here depends on the package that the Mets put together to go along with Heilman. This seems to be the most likely scenario right now, with either Jackson or Sonnanstine going to New York for Heilman and some combination of prospects and/or an outfielder. Heilman was absolutely atrocious last year for the Mets. He’s one of those guys who may just need a change of scenery though. The Rays are hoping he can find his old form when he was one of the better set-up men in the National League from 2005-2007. If he can’t find his old form, Rays fans need to prepare for regular fireworks displays shortly after Heilman takes the mound. source Tampa Bay Rays Examiner