I don’t want to pretend I saw this day coming years ago but I always thought the Mets took the coward’s way out when, faced with the task of choosing a new closer they simply threw the most money at the biggest name out there and considered it done.

It was after all the most defensible position they could have taken. Having a Brand Name out there in the bullpen takes a lot of pressure off the manager by avoiding the kind of Quarterback Controversy the so-called bullpen-by-committee invites; and it certainly fits the bill for a Win Now team, which the Mets are forever convinced they are.

With that said, in a matter of taste I’d have preferred to see them try something a little more creative. They certainly could have handed the closer’s role to Aaron Heilman and saw what happened. Braden Looper should have taught them that anyone with a decent arm can fake it as a closer, as he did in 2004; instead they got spooked by Looper’s rotten 2005 – injury related of course – and went out and gave way too much job security to Billy Wagner, who, it should be noted wore out his welcome with two previous employers and continues to talk like a player confident he’ll outlast his manager.

And he will!

I’ve tried to be modest about begging you to buy the book based on the website but I shouldn’t turn down the opportunity to let you know you can get a free one.

That said if you haven’t picked up a copy of MBTN for your Dad yet what are you waiting for. Do what Neil Best tells you to do!

The sudden and shattering unavailability of Billy Wagner 13 the other night, not to mention weeks of white-knuckle performance from the other guys in the bullpen, prompted the club to reach down and call up Carlos Muniz, who’d been most recently closing games for Class AA Binghamton. Muniz, likely to be tucked deeper in the drawer than even Phillip Humber 49, was issued No. 38, according to the roster at Mets.com. If he gets into a game he’ll be the 28th 38 in team history and the first since Victor Zambrano. Bullpen candidate Steve Schmoll wore 38 during spring training this season but he seems to have gone missing.

Muniz whiffed 66 guys in 64+ innings in AA and AAA this season, posting 23 saves and a 2.24 ERA. “If we need him, we’ll use him,” sez Willie. Just might.

Deadline Terror (July 31): As opposed to say, 2004, the Mets at least didn't mean to get worse at the deadline this year, though it was certainly bad news on the doorstep to learn that rubbery reliever Duaner Sanchez 50 would miss the rest of the year as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Miami; increasing any exisiting pressure they felt to do something about the bullpen, while dialing back any temptation to make Aaron Heilman a part of a bigger deal for a pitcher, left-handed pinch-hitter or anything else that might help come October. So instead the Mets swapped fungible outfielder Xavier Nady 22 to the Pirates for Proven Veteran Setup Guy Roberto Hernandez, along with Oliver Perez, who not too long ago, ranked among the most promising young left arms in the game.

Meet More Mets (Dec. 10): Omar Minaya returned from the Winter Meetings with a new catcher, Paul LoDuca, acquired from the Marlins at full retail -- pitching prospect Gaby Hernandez, and minor-league outfielder Dante Brinkley. LoDuca is likely to dress in his familiar No. 16, vacated by 2004's disappointing first-base experiment, Doug Mientkiewicz.

In other moves, the Mets made official minor-league contracts and spring training invites for lefty Matt Perisho, formerly of the Marlins and Jose Valentin, the former Brewer and White Sock infielder most recently with the Dodgers. Valentin has worn No. 22 most often in his career, but was 10 last year. Both are theoretically available as both Royce Ring 22 and Shingo Takatsu 10 have been booted from the 40-man roster.

Santiago Up, Bell Down (July 16): The Mets arrived in Denver tonight with journeyman righthander Jose Santiago wearing No. 33. Santiago was recalled from Norfolk Sunday when Heath Bell 19 was demoted and informed he needs to develop a change-up. No. 33 was issued earlier this year to backup catcher Mike DiFelice.

Mientkiewicz Returns, Padilla Arrives (July 16): The Mets announced Friday that first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz 16 has returned from a rehab stint and that cobwebby pinch-hitter Brian Daubach 13 was returned to Norfolk. They also promoted Norfolk closer Juan Padilla and returned lefty Royce Ring 22 to the farm. Padilla comes to the Mets having had an excellent half-season at Norfolk and Ring's demotion seems to suggest that infuriating starter Kaz Ishii 23 will get a look in the pen. Padilla was assigned No. 28, which for two years sat patiently awaiting the return of Scott Strickland.

Mientkiewicz to DL; Jose Offerman Arrives (June 26): When Doug Mientkiewicz' attempt to revive his season was interrupted Saturday by a hamstring tear, the Mets fished the Norfolk waters and reeled in fossilized utilityman Jose Offerman. Offernman, just .167 in 36 turns at bat for the Tides, suited up Sunday night in No. 35, recently cashiered by Mike DeJean. Truth be told, the elderly switch-hitting Offerman wasn't that bad as a pinch-hitter for the Twins last year.

Ring Rings (April 27): The Mets abruptly released veteran reliever Mike Matthews 27 on Monday and called up Norfolk lefty Royce Ring to the big club. Ring, who arrived in therefreshing 2003 trade that sent Roberto Alomar to the White Sox, suited up Tuesday in No. 22, which last belonged to lefty Al Leiter. As reported by Marty Noble at MLB.com, Ring said he won't be confused with his predecessor: "I don't have a cutter, I'll tell you that." Over the weekend, a sore muscle put starter Kaz Ishii 23 on the disabled list; in his place the Mets recalled Jae Seo, who remains in No. 26.

Bell Rings (April 19): After a comically tragic performance Monday in Philly the Mets disabled Felix Heredia 49 and recalled Heath Bell 19. Bell appeared tonight to wrap up a record-setting Met win. This team might be better than we thought.

Mets Trade for Mientkiewicz (Jan. 26): Only hours after Carlos Delgado and his scheming agent left the Mets high and dry came word that Omar had traded promising ex-Cyclone Ian Bladergroen for spare Red Sock first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz. Minky brings an excellent glove but an average bat to his new job, but was probably the best among the consolation prizes. Mientkiewicz wore No. 16 for most of his career in Minnesota and No. 13 in Boston, but what might be most interesting is seeing whether the Mets manage to fit that unweildly last name onto the back of a jersey without dropping the leading: His 12-lettered name matches Isringhausen for the longest in Met history. Omar contends the offseason acquisition spree is all but done, but we'll believe it when 25 men depart from St. Lucie.

Front-office Shenanigans (Sept. 30) With the idea in mind that front-office bigwigs ultimately affect the unimportant stuff that eventually gets reported and published here, MBTN would like to take the opportunity to go blog on you and comment regarding this afternoon's bizzarre transfer of power in Metland.

We predict it will become clear that what emerged today was the Wilpons' lack of trust in castrated former head honcho Jim Duquette, who like Art Howe (below) is absorbing some punishment for circumstances beyond his control. While we think it's great that local Queens guy Omar Minaya is getting an opportunity to truly lead the Mets, at the same time it's a shame that Duke was never really afforded the same, even though, at least until July 30, his moves, and his team, ought to have demonstrated to his bosses he deserved it.

What we learned today in an unfortunately candid moment was that the Wilpons never took the training wheels off Duke's contract and may never have intended to, seeing as Minaya was the man they wanted all along. And that's because his assignment in Montreal -- which everyone knew was temporary when it began -- provided Minaya with the one thing Duquette could never have: A fair shake at some experience.

Taken broadly, that's a thread that runs through a myriad of Wilponian messes including the Kazmir-Zambrano trade: The idea that unproven rookies are risks for other organizations to take. Ironically, the fact that that move -- widely rumored to have come at the behest of Duquette's senior scouting advisors -- hasn't paid immediate dividends only goes to prove how right the Mets philosophy can be made to appear: Duquette, the unproven rookie, is taking the fall for it.

Anyhow, we wish Minaya the best of luck but hope in light of his previously stated allergies to progressive thinking that he honors his pledge to utilize Duke as his "right-hand man" and that the Wilpons resist getting in the way unless he doesn't. You gotta believe.

We're Back (Sept. 24) Just like Richard Hidalgo, we took most of September off, but we're back in time to wrap up the September moves. Thanks for hanging in there as we moved to new World Headquarters in Brooklyn.

Let's plow through the September moves we missed (all updated now):
Sept. 1: Recalled Matt Ginter 13; Tyler Yates 33 and Craig Brazell 9 from Triple-A Norfolk.
Sept. 4: Called up veteran lefty Vic Darensbourg from AAA, and assigned him No. 39.
Sept. 8: Recalled Aaron Heilman 48.
Sept. 10: Sent Matt Ginter 13 to the 60-day DL and recalled AAA hitting machine Victor Diaz, who debuted the next day wearing No. 50.
Sept. 14: Sent Vance Wilson 3 to the disabled list and recalled catcher Joe Hietpas from AA Binghamton. An emergency catcher, Heitpas has somehow avoided emergencies since his recall and is still waiting to become the third No. 10 this season.
Sept. 24: The Mets finally get their table setters returned to them, Jose Reyes 7, who sat out with a broken bone, and Kazuo Matsui 25, resting a sore back.

Finally, let's bid farewell and better times to manager Art Howe, who'll be turning over his keys and the No. 18 jersey after the season, along with most of his coaching staff. Though we grant Art was little more than a caretaker and nobody's idea of a brilliant strategist, we're sure he did his earnest best and applaud his class and dignity as he takes the axe and unnecessarily absorbs three weeks of lame duckness for two teams that performed below expectations for reasons in, and often out, of his control. We were scratching our heads when he walked in the door, too. Good luck, Art!

As noted below, this was a weird year, even by Met standards, and we're saddened that it ends with less promise than it began. The search for Art Howe's replacement will kick off what ought to be a fascinating offseason and for the sixth straight year, join us for the soap opera here.

Piazza Back, DeJean DeSabled (Aug. 30): The Mets got some of their missing offense back today when Mike Piazza returned from the disabled list. To make room for him the Mets designated recent pickup Brian Buchanan 10 for assignment. In the meantime the Mets placed reliever Mike DeJean 35 on the disabled list and recalled Heath Bell 19.

Wheeler Dealers (Aug. 28): The Mets on Friday traded reliever Dan Wheeler to Houston for minor league outfielder Adam Suess (all the Howes in Howeville approved). Wheeler should have worn 18 but wore 39 instead. His spot on the roster will be taken over by Jae Seo 26 who returns from Norfolk with blonde hair.

Mets Sign Brian Buchanan (Aug. 25): The Mets today addressed their absurdly weak hitting attack by acquiring recently released righthanded-hitting Padre corner outfielder Brian Buchanan (think: Shane Spencer without the drinking problem). Buchanan was given No. 10, most recently belonging to Jeff Duncan. To make room the Mets demoted Heath Bell 19, just a day after a successful Major League debut.

Bell Tolls for Heilman (Aug. 24): Within 24 hours on Monday, Aaron Heilman 48 was recalled, rocked and summarily banished to Norfolk. In his place the Mets recalled Tides closer Heath Bell, who throws hard and fashioned attractive numbers in AAA (67 K's in 53.2 IP). He wears No. 19. Here's hoping this Bell tolls clearer than his Met predecessors Gus 3, Derek 16 and Jay 44.

To make room for Bell on the 40-man roster, the Mets moved Orber Moreno 49 to the 60-day disabled list. Heilman's recall sent Matt Ginter 13 back to Norfolk, where he remains.

Ginter Back; Brazell Down; Heilman en Route (Aug. 22): Matt Ginter just won't go away. He's back in uniform 13 again, taking the start in San Francisco while Craig Brazell 9 flies back to Norfolk. Word is forgotten prospect Aaron Heilman will meet the Mets when they return to Shea to make Monday's start. Heilman wore No. 48 when we last saw him; it is uncertain at this point whether Ginter will go down again or a certain well-rested lefthander announces his retirement.

4 Years and 10 Minutes in MBTN History (Aug. 21): The Mets controversial trades last month are paying off in unpredictable ways. When Victor Zambrano 38 left his start Tuesday with elbow trouble, the Mets recalled the player received with him, reliever Bartolome Fortunato, who made his Met debut Friday wearing No. 43. Meantime, Joe McEwing 11 went down Thursday with a dirty-slide-induced broken leg and so the Mets recalled Jeff Keppinger, the throw-in infielder received in the Kris Benson deal.

Keppinger was issued No. 6 -- for the fourth time this year and the 31st time in Met history. Both are records that may never be broken! (The Mets quietly last week traded catcher Tom Wilson, the third wearer of the 6 jersey this year. Ricky Gutierrez and Gerald Williams were the other two victims so far).

Expect plenty of wound-licking and hand-wringing this week if/when Scott Kazmir makes his debut with the Devil Rays and Jim Duquette submits his resume on Monster.com. This has been a very weird month, even for the Mets.

...And Down Goes Matsui (Aug. 15) The Mets finally got around to disable-listing shortstop Kaz Matsui 25, leaving the Mets without any of their imagined starting infielders this year. In his place the Mets called up AAA slugger Craig Brazell, who will make his Met/Major League debut while wearing No. 9.

More Infielders (Updated Aug. 14) With the middle infield again hurting, the Mets dipped into Norfolk and recalled veteran scrubeenie Wilson Delgado, issued him No. 17, and hoped Reyes and Matsui felt better soon. To make room the Mets sent Matt Ginter 13 back to Norfolk presumably for for a short stay while Tom Glavine sees his dentist. They also sent Pedro Feliciano 55 down again and recalled Dan Wheeler 39.

The news got worse Friday when the Mets said Jose Reyes 7 would spend the next four-to-six weeks on the disabled list. Feliciano was recalled in his place.

Piazza DLed, Garcia Up (Aug. 12): Struggling one-time superstar Mike Piazza 31 hit the disabled list last night to rest a bad knee. In his place the Mets recalled Danny Garcia 12, who'd been refining his game at Norfolk as multi-position player.