I really don’t see any good reason to think the Mets “overpaid” or even “gave up a lot” in this deal. Stepping back from the specifics, here’s how this trade looks to me in general — we dealt a pile of replaceable spare parts, and got back a player who has a chance to be really good (plus some other spare parts). I want my GM to make a deal like that anytime one is offered — all the B-grade roster-filler you want in exchange for one possibly A-grade player who really improves the team. I like Heilman, Smith, and Chavez, and Carp might even turn into a major-league player someday, but none of them is anything close to indispensable.

the only player I’m really “worried”, and even worried is too strong of a word, about losing is Ezequiel Carrera, because of the speed and batting eye and defense and us not really have any other outfielder like him in the system that I know of.

Heilman probably did need to go because there was too much baggage here, not just with the fans but with him and the front office. Carp I like a lot but he’s probably replaceable. Endy I loved but he was likely going to find himself the odd man out here anyway, Green for Smith is pretty much a wash. And I don’t think Cleto really matters one way or another.

I think the deal was the right one to make at the right time. I can sleep better at night knowing that Putz will be pitching the eighth inning.

I think everyone is making too much out of the truly spare parts the Mets got rid of. Look at who took the last plane out of LaGuardia this week.

Heilman: Please remember that this is the sullen, home-run throwing, clubhouse disrupting, delusional Aaron Heilman of 07 and 08, not the groundball inducing, dependable, 8th inning machine of 06. Whether he has been physically injured or lost his nerve, he has not been an albatross around the team’s neck. Remember that when someone, anyone who could throw the ball 60’ 6" across the plate was needed last September, Heilman was not brought in. His place in the bullpen rotation receeded from the 8th to the 7th to mop-up man after the all-star break.

Joe Smith: He is a bit of a dilemma. Brought up from the minor leagues a year too soon, he was truly effective during the first two months of 07, but never really established any consistency over the next two years. He would show life here or there, but Smith lost the strike zone on too many occasions. He was supposed to be Chad Bradford, Jr. The problem with submarine pitchers is the release point. If you don’t throw from the right spot, everytime, the ball will rise into the hitter’s sweet zone. There is not as much room for error. He may be very good in Cleveland, but he will spend his career literally being one inch between an ERA of 2.00 and 6.00.

Chavez: I will miss Endy the most. Not for his recent play, but for the thrills of 06. He played himself out of a starting role by showing a great inability to stay healthy or hit for long stretches. It says a lot about what the manager thought of his value when he couldn’t crack the starting lineup and the team played infielders in left and right. Think about it: you are a professional outfielder and you are sitting while Fernanado Tatis, Daniel Murphy and the New Orleans infield are higher on the depth chart.

Vargas and the minor leaguers: Historically, this organization tends to either over value or estimate its talent. They brag about all of their five tool players that come to the majors and flop. Or, they bring them up too early and sacrifice careers and years of possibility. The list is endless on all fronts. Timothy Leary. The K squad. Even our 70s hero, Lee Mazzilli. For every Wright and Reyes, there is a Greg Goosen, Shawn Abner and Steve Chilcott.

I am more worried about how this new bullpen will do in a new league. Too little emphasis has been placed on players ability to adapt to their new surroundings and new opponents. Will the National League hitters be able to do things with them that American League hitters couldn’t?

This is a team that has to win now!!!! They’ve had their chances the last three years and the window is closing on this group. Minaya now has to address the starting pitching, left field and second base if they are going to compete with the team down the turnpike. They were poorly put together last year and need to get better.

We definitely got the better of this trade, and if you guys watched last season, we sort of needed a bullpen…

As much as i want to defend Heilman, he needed to go away. Far away. As did Shoenweiss…

Putz is exactly what we needed, and we gave up VIRTUALLY NOTHING to get him. I liked Endy as much as the next person, but he’s essentially a light hitting 4th outfielder. Its a lot easier to get someone like that over a potentially dominant 8th inning setup guy…

is overused. pretty much a buzzword to me at this point.