The Dawn of Free Agency

Free agency has just begun and both New York teams figure to be big players especially being from the big market. With the Mets signing of Fransisco Rodriguez, they're trying to show the fans that they are still in win-now mode and that they're looking to rebuild the bullpen on the fly. Omar Minaya did a good job and waiting patiently while no other team made an offer to Rodriguez. By doing this, Minaya didn't have to spend as much as the Wilpon's money as originally thought which for him is definitely a plus in this economic crunch. Rodriguez's original price was going to be around the 5 year $75 million range but was obviously brought down to a more attainable level. The Mets marketed their pitch to Rodriguez in a decent manner because both sides seemed to be fit for each other once they lost Billy Wagner for the season. The fact that the Mets were able to save a lot of money by holding off on a deal with Rodriguez enables them to search for another bona fide closer as a setup man or perhaps another starter. The Mets also marketed to Rodriguez that they have a good chance of winning with him despite the last two collapses. Rodriguez is coming off one of the best seasons a closer has ever had so only time will tell if they made the right move.