How can anyone in their right mind advocate a 7 year contract, at 18 Million per to a pitcher.  They even threw in a no-trade clause in case the money wasn't enough.  Seven years is a lonnnnng time to depend on a pitcher to give you top of the rotation stuff . 

While we are talking about Zito, he may be the best guy out there, as free agents go, but he yet to put together a great run of seasons.  For a guy that is supposed to be a top-shelf pitcher in his prime, he has pitched borderline 500 baseball  in 3 of the last 4 years (14-12, 11-11, and 14-13 form 2003-2005).  I would have liked him in the orange and blue, but I can't see matching that ridiculous offer given by the Giants. 

My biggest plea to Omar is not to panic and trade for an overrated, mediocre hack.  I really hope we do not trade Heilman and Lastings for a pitcher unless it is a top-of-the line, number one starter - someone of Oswalt/Schmidt/Willis caliber.  Bob Murphy used to love to fawn over "Those fiiiiine young Met arms".  Well, at long last we have them in stock again.  Of the crop of Pelfrey, Humber, Maine and Perez, I am very confident that at least 2 of them are gonna be ready to shine....maybe more.  Whoever is not rotation-ready can join the pen or continue to get seasoning in AAA. 

I also think that they have a bonafide 15 game winner in Aaron Heilman.  Trading him for anything less than a top of the rotation stud makes no sense to me, especially since they will probably also have to include Milledge.  Why go out for burgers when you have sirloin at home?  Heilman has FAR better stuff than 90 percent of the starters out there and with  Duaner coming back and the addition of Burgos to the pen, I think the idea of Heilman in the rotation should finally be given a legitimate look. 

Omar is clearly not done but as far as I am concerned, so far so good.    This team has got a lot of strengths so we are good enough to win today.  We came a game from the world series.  We also have a great stable of excellent young players both at the Major and minor league level.  The Mets need a tweak, not an overhaul. and Minaya know it.  He has a great poker hand and is playing it like a champ.  

Good luck Barry Zito.  We'll see if people are still fawning over you in 2014.