Putting in my $.02, I'm with Sam in that Minaya addressed reason #1 that the Mets did not play in the post season last year.

With respect to the principals, I don't see how the Mets gave up that much. Is Heilman and Smith were any good, the bullpen in 2008 would not have been the oozing sore it was. Everyone loves Endy, but his skill set does not really include offense and guys like that arfe always available. Putz is a year removed from being one of the top relievers in basesball. It sound like a risk worth taking to me.

The real problem, IMO, was not just that the Mets were below average - but also that the Phillies were excellent (+5), with pitchers who don't look a lot better than the Mets' 2008 crew. The Mets weren't really all that bad at blowing leads - except in comparison to the direct competition.

-- MWE

There was also a seasonal split- the Mets bullpen was probably above average until August/September... The Met may have blown 18% of such leads but I wouldn't be surprised if the first half % was 15% and the 2nd half 21%.

WRT Mets 2008 rotation, ERA of 3.98, league 4.43 (starters)
Met relievers: 4.25, league 4.06.
Mets starters had an ERA+ of 107, their relievers 100 - most teams' pens had lower ERAs than their starters, not the Mets

From Keith Law's breakdown of the Winter Meeting moves:

2. J.J. Putz (traded to the Mets): If he's fully healthy, he's one of the most dominant late-game relievers around, with outstanding control and an out-pitch splitter. He'll make more of a difference to the Mets' bullpen than the other guy they acquired this week.

4. Sean Green (traded to the Mets): A right-handed specialist with tremendous sink on his fastball, Green should be the guy the Mets thought Joe Smith or Eddie Kunz would be -- their replacement for Chad Bradford, who was so valuable in their 2006 bullpen.

Keith likes the AL.