Tabloid headline writers, rejoice!

Thanks to Omar Minaya, the Mets may have gone from having the worst bullpen in baseball to the best. That's what happens when you add J.J. Putz to set up K-Rod. Sweet sassy molassy!

The Mets had reportedly been interested in Putz all along as a possible closer, but the fact that Minaya went out of his way -- trading seven players -- to obtain Putz as a setup man tells you how serious he was about rebuilding this bullpen. And he didn't just rebuild it. He took a flamethrower to it. Nice.

Putz may not be thrilled with pitching the eighth, but he said all the right things in his first post-trade interview, and by all accounts is he a solid teammate. And he knows that it could be for just a season -- one season with a team with championship aspirations.

Sean Green has been described as a "ground ball machine," and if Duaner Sanchez is better a year removed from his surgery, and Pedro Feliciano becomes the lefty specialist -- this bullpen looks pretty damn good all of a sudden.

And if it is true that the Mets and Cubs are still talking about a deal, this time trading Scott Schoeneweis for Jason Marquis, all the better. At that point, go whole hog and go hard after Derek Lowe because with that kind of bullpen on top of an offense that we know can score runs, you can slide Lowe in after Johan Santana and before John Maine and Mike Pelfrey. With Marquis as your number five? And Jon Niese tuning up in AAA?

The Mets would once again be the favorite to win the pennant.

Not that that means much.

Anyway, one group that's thrilled to have Putz in the fold are the headline writers for the Daily News and the Post:

J.J. Putz 'em Down!
Whatta Putz!

You get the picture.

Those writers must love the Mets, with K-Rod, Wright, Jose Reyes, Delgado, Johan -- there's plenty of puns to be had with the names of the Mets players.

Let's hope those headlines sit atop stories about wins.

Mets close deal with K-Rod

Like a zit on the forehead, the Mets' most glaring need this offseason was relief pitching, beginning with the closer. Francisco Rodriguez was the biggest fish out there, coming off a record 62-save season for the Angels of Anaheim, but talk of a five- or six-year deal made it seem that the Mets would have to settle for less.

But the Mets had the market working in their favor, and with the supply of closers exceeding the demand, K-Rod would find nothing close to the five-year, $75 million contract his agent had his sights set on.

So K-Rod "settled" for three years and $37 million from the Mets, who could have the second coming of Mariano Rivera locking down games for them while the original article continues to break down across town.

Despite the whispers of declining velocity and a downward trend in certain statistics, K-Rod was the top closer available and has been one of the top closers in the game the last several seasons -- and he turns 27 in January. Omar Minaya has now landed two elite pitchers in their prime in each of the last two seasons. Not bad for a guy who also signed Luis Castillo.

You can’t argue with the cost or the terms. The value of a good closer was hammered home last season, when the Mets blew a mind-boggling 29 saves. Had a couple of those been converted, they win the division and not the Phillies, who enjoyed a perfect season from Brad Lidge.

The Mets certainly aren't done. Another starter is needed, and there's still a chance that they can keep Oliver Perez. Anyone but Jon Garland, please. And if the rumors are true that the Cubs and Mets have discussed Aaron Heilman for Jason Marquis, you do that deal in a heartbeat, even if the Cubs aren't willing to eat as much of Marquis' contract as the Mets would like.

Perhaps Step 3 in the Mets' retooling is to land Orlando Hudson, who reportedly wants to come to New York. He'd be a terrific addition to the lineup and would allow the Mets to leave Dan Murphy in the outfield, where he could platoon with Fernando Tatis or another low-rent option.

Another reliever or two would also help, but getting K-Rod was the most important piece of the puzzle, and he should flourish at Citi Field. He obviously has amazing stuff, but he also has plenty of confidence and flair. Between Jose Reyes dancing in the dugout and K-Rod's exhaltations after closing a game, teams will hate the Mets more than ever.

Which is just fine. It makes winning that much sweeter.