[EmpireWF]

Joel Sherman of the New York Post says they should. He makes it a point to say not for being the guy who gave up the big home run to Yadier Molina but because other GMs in baseball value him more than the Mets do.

An excerpt from the article..."Meanwhile, many rival teams see Heilman as no worse than a No. 3 starter or a closer. As one AL GM said, "Equipment-wise, he is a starter." An NL scout who thinks Heilman would be an excellent starter said Heilman began mixing a cutter and splitter to his changeup-fastball strength, thus giving him more of a starter's repertoire. Another AL GM, who thinks Heilman has the stuff and makeup to be a closer, said, "Heilman's stock is very high in this relief market. The supply (of available, quality relievers) is so bad, you should maximize value.""

The bullpen next year should be fine without Heilman so I say we should look into trading him. It's obvious Willie Randolph, for some reason, and perhaps Minaya too, are not sold on Heilman as a starter. But other GMs either want him as a starter or possible closer. Any which way you split it, you can package him and look to get a top of the rotation starter. You've GOT to do that IMO.

So, if you're Omar Minaya. Would you trade Heilman? And what would you want in return for a possible package including Heilman?

[legend]

It would be a good move. He is going to get booed as soon as he goes bad in New York, why not trade him now while his value is higher than it will be then? Anything comparable in return would be good, like a number five starter from a halfway decent club.

[firefrozen]

Its not a bad idea. The mets might as well get their moneys worth out of him because he believes that he has what it takes to be a starter and unless the mets give him that chance their is no way that he is going to sign with them.

[MVB]

Heilman was a huge part of the Mets' very successful bullpen. He went 4-5 with a 3.62 ERA in 74 appearances for the team... I wouldn't be too eager to get rid of him.