I’m not especially keen on the newly acquired Aaron Heilman.  If he lands in the bullpen as expected, I will be okay with it.  But I don’t like the fact that the Mets couldn’t wait to get rid of this guy, and if he ever starts moaning about how he wants to be in the rotation with Seattle– a team with 7 or 8 viable starting options– I’m going to lose my patience with him quickly.

As soon as the deal went down, I was wondering if GM Jack Zduriencik might try to flip Heilman in another deal.  Captain Jack did mention on the radio after the trade that it’s certainly not out of the question to flip any of his new acquisitions.  I didn’t know if there was a market for him, though.

Well, here are some clues:

Joe Strauss, St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

The meetings marked the third consecutive year the Cardinals failed to sign or trade for a player at the winter meetings. Mozeliak also used the week to pursue a group of relievers including Seattle Mariners closer J.J. Putz and New York Mets middle reliever AaronHeilman. But both pitchers were involved in a three-team, 12-player trade finalized Wednesday and also including the Cleveland Indians.

Joel Sherman, New York Post:

Aaron Heilman was part of the Putz deal. The Mets were surprised that more than a dozen teams asked about Heilman. They talked often about Heilman with Colorado, at first in a Huston Street package then later for other items. They also spoke regularly with the Cubs, but not in deals for Jason Marquis.

I’m guessing that Zduriencik will get calls from these other teams that couldn’t get a deal done with the Mets.  If we can further improve our team or farm system by spinning Heilman, I am all for it.

Heilman could help in the bullpen, and is the current favorite to become the new closer, but Seattle can get by without him.  Roy Corcoran, Mark Lowe, Shawn Kelley, Miguel Batista and other internal righty relievers can fill out the ‘pen, not to mention any other effective relievers that may be picked up on the cheap between now and Opening Day.