The Mets' bullpen looks bad right now, no doubt. But relief pitching is always massively overvalued in mid-season trades, and the Mets have no business making unfavorable deals for the "last piece" since there are so many pieces they need. Furthermore, the bullpen struggles are only so prominent and disastrous-seeming because the team's hitting has been so lackluster, with a starting lineup consisting of 50% great hitters and 50% sub-replacement-level players who should be sitting on the bench -- in New Orleans.

So here is my prescription for "fixing" (to the extent possible mid-season, which isn't much) the whole-team problems that only look right now like bullpen problems:

1. Sign Barry Bonds. Until Church returns, platoon Dan Murphy and Nick Evans.

2. Trade the bench players (Tatis, who should have real value now, Easley, Chavez, A. Reyes, etc.) and the bullpen underperformers (Schoeneweis, Sanchez) for other teams' bullpen spare parts. This means going after other problem pitchers, bad contracts, or just pitchers having off years who have worn out their welcome. Take the new spare parts and throw them out there instead of the old spare parts. Try to get younger when possible, adding 26-year-olds who are getting shelled right now but might improve, rather than 36-year-olds who just ought to hang up their spikes.

My core thought here is that it'll be easier for this team to add runs scored than runs prevented at this late date. The real problem is too big to be fixed in mid-season, so fix it during the offseason. For now, add Bonds, take a gamble on a relief arm here or there if possible, and just live with having a bad bullpen until 2009.