The word on the street: reaching out to closers, Street for Heilman, and possible White Sox deal

November 25, 9:58 PMNew York Mets ExaminerAndrew Mees

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With the hot stove season in full swing, the Mets are starting to become increasingly active, as we all figured they would.  Here's the juiciest news and rumors surrounding your beloved Metropolitans.

From the Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated portion of the program...

• The Mets have officially reached out to the agents for free-agent closers Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes, and are even considering Cubs closer Kerry Wood.
  
  Smart move by Omar to reach out to both, because if Fuentes is ok with a three-year deal, K-Rod's asking price will be forced to come down.  My guess is K-Rod is the guy they want, and Fuentes will be used as a bargaining chip, one that if K-Rod decides to go elsewhere, would be an excellent alternative to fill the closer spot.

• While the Amazin's would prefer a right-handed bat to fill their left field vacancy, they love Mariners outfielder Raul Ibanez.
  
  While Ibanez is a great player, it's safe to say he's on the back nine of his career.  He's currently 36, and if he commands a four-year deal, what could possibly be expected of him in the fourth year of the contract, when he'll be the tender age of 40?  The Mets have been burned by older players more times than can be fit in this column (see: Alou, Moises and Hernandez, Orlando) and to willingly take on another one would be a poor decision by the front office.

• Lastly, the Mets do not appear interested in free-agent outfielder Manny Ramirez.
  
  It's no secret where this particular Mets fan stands on this issue.  Man-Ram would be a beautiful fit in Citi Field (or whatever it might be called now), and would take the Mets' lineup from very good to the best in the league.  If his asking price comes down, don't be surprised to see the boys from Queens swoop in and make an offer.
  

In other news...

• Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported today that the Mets offered reliever Aaron Heilman to the Colorado Rockies for recently acquired reliever Huston Street, but the Rockies wanted reliever Pedro Feliciano in addition to Heilman, which the Mets rejected.
  
  If that is the offer that was presented, I think the Mets made the right call.  They view Street as a set-up man, but certainly not one worth trading two relievers for.  Heilman wants to be made a starter or else he'd like to be traded, so expect to hear his name in trade talks throughout the winter.

• Lastly, reports are that the White Sox are asking for a young starting pitcher, plus additional players for outfielder Jermaine Dye, and the Mets are balking at the asking price.
  
  It's early on in the winter, so I think the asking price on Dye, just like a lot of other available players, will eventually come down.  Keep an eye on this one, though, because I think the Mets could get seriously involved in this discussion during the Winter Meetings.