Offseason
Looking to improve the bullpen after the struggles of the 2008 season, the Mets signed closer Francisco Rodríguez to a three year, $37 million contract on December 10, 2008. Immediately after, the team acquired reliever J. J. Putz from the Seattle Mariners in a three team trade involving the Mariners and the Cleveland Indians, giving the Mets a setup man for Rodriguez. New York shipped reliever Aaron Heilman, outfielder Endy Chávez, pitcher Jason Vargas and three minor leaguers to Seattle for Putz, center fielder Jeremy Reed and reliever Sean Green, while Mets reliever Joe Smith was acquired by Cleveland.
On December 12 the Mets traded Scott Schoeneweis to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Connor Robertson. On January 12, the Mets signed RHP Tim Redding to a one-year contract. The Mets signed Alex Cora to a one-year $2 million dollar contract. The Mets signed Freddy García and Rob Mackowiak to minor league deals. Garcia's contract, which is full of incentives, could reach $8 million dollars if he reaches the major league roster. On April 3, 2009, the Mets signed outfielder Gary Sheffield after being released by the Detroit Tigers.
Read more about this topic: 2009 New York Mets Season