The Mets have two vacancies to fill in the rotation, behind Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey and John Maine. They also have vacancies at closer and left field.

BIGGEST NEEDS: The Mets' bullpen blew 29 saves in 2008, and a revamping of the bullpen is in order. Not only is the team without a closer, the focal points of the 2006 run to the NLCS championship, setup men Aaron Heilman and Duaner Sanchez, both had underwhelming seasons this year that contributed to the team's inability to hold a 3 1/2-game division lead with 17 games to play.

FREE AGENTS: LF Moises Alou, LF Marlon Anderson, RHP Luis Ayala, OF Endy Chavez, 2B Damion Easley, RHP Orlando Hernandez, RHP Pedro Martinez, 2B Ramon Martinez, LHP Oliver Perez, LHP Ricardo Rincon, OF Fernando Tatis, RHP Matt Wise.

Hernandez might be forced into retirement by a bunion that was surgically removed from his right big toe, while Alou's injury-plagued career could be over. Perez, represented by Scott Boras, will command a four- to five-year deal. Martinez has resolved to pitch in 2009, but it might have to be elsewhere. Chavez is a valuable defensive replacement, but his role diminished once Jerry Manuel succeeded Willie Randolph as manager. Easley was productive, but he turns 39 on Nov. 11 and has been susceptible to injury. Anderson had a poor season in a pinch-hitting role.

ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: RF Ryan Church, LHP Pedro Feliciano, RHP Aaron Heilman, RHP Duaner Sanchez, RHP John Maine, OF Angel Pagan.

With the Mets' bullpen slated for a massive overhaul this winter, Heilman and Sanchez both might get dealt.

IN LIMBO: 2B Luis Castillo, with three years and $18 million left on his contract, nonetheless will be shopped this winter, with the Mets forced to eat a large percentage of the contract. LHP Scott Schoeneweis also will be on the trading block, as he was during spring training.

MEDICAL WATCH:

LHP Billy Wagner is expected to miss the 2009 season following Tommy John surgery.

RHP John Maine underwent surgery Sept. 30 to shave a bony growth behind his right shoulder that was irritating a muscle. He's expected to begin long-tossing in late December and should be on a regular schedule in spring training.

HITTERS

Chris Aguila, LF

Moises Alou, LF

Marlon Anderson, LF

Tony Armas, P

Luis Ayala, P

With NYM .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

BA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB

Robinson Cancel, C

Raul Casanova, C

Luis Castillo, 2B

Ramon Castro, C

Endy Chavez, RF

Ryan Church, RF

Brady Clark, LF

Carlos Delgado, 1B

Damion Easley, 2B

Nick Evans, LF

Pedro Feliciano, P

Nelson Figueroa, P

Aaron Heilman, P

Brandon Knight, P

Eddie Kunz, P

John Maine, P

Pedro Martinez, P

Ramon Martinez, 2B

Gustavo Molina, C

Carlos Muniz, P

Daniel Murphy, 3B

Jonathon Niese, P

Trot Nixon, RF

Abraham Nunez, 3B

Angel Pagan, LF

Bobby Parnell, P

Mike Pelfrey, P

Oliver Perez, P

Al Reyes, P

Argenis Reyes, 2B

Jose Reyes, SS

Ricardo Rincon, P

Duaner Sanchez, P

Johan Santana, P

Brian Schneider, C

Scott Schoeneweis, P

Joe Smith, P

Brian Stokes, P

Fernando Tatis, LF

Claudio Vargas, P

Billy Wagner, P

Matt Wise, P

David Wright, 3B

With NYM .302 626 115 189 42 2 33 124 15

PITCHERS

Tony Armas, P

Luis Ayala, P

With NYM 5.50 1 2 9 19 18 23 11 3 2 14

ERA W L Sv G IP H ER HR BB K

Nelson Figueroa, P

Aaron Heilman, P

Brandon Knight, P

Eddie Kunz, P

John Maine, P

Pedro Martinez, P

Carlos Muniz, P

Jonathon Niese, P

Bobby Parnell, P

Mike Pelfrey, P

Oliver Perez, P

Al Reyes, P

Ricardo Rincon, P

Duaner Sanchez, P

Johan Santana, P

Scott Schoeneweis, P

Joe Smith, P

Brian Stokes, P

Claudio Vargas, P

Billy Wagner, P

Matt Wise, P

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