If the Mets get the healthy J.J. Putz - he missed time with rib and elbow injuries in 2008 - they might actually have acquired the best closer of their offseason, one even better than their new closer Francisco Rodriguez. 
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Editor's pick
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BASRA, IRAQ - OCTOBER 18: People gather around a Land Rover as it arrives at the village Al Houta on October 18 2008 near Basra, Iraq. The trip by the 51 Sqn Royal Air Force Regiment Force Protection Wing was part of a 'key leader engagement' (KLE) visit to the village close to the Basra Airbase to recruit local labour and engage with the village shiek. Visits of this type are seen as key in efforts to continue winning the support of the local Iraqi population. Although improved security in the region has brought some benefits such as improved trade and commerce, much of the infrastructure remains in a poor state of repair. Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown has indicated that the number of UK troops could be scaled down - especially as the security situation in the south of the country continues to improve.
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Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) speaks during a campaign rally in the rain at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia, September 27, 2008.
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A puppy stands on a truck carrying people to be evacuated from the area in preparation for the approach of Hurricane Gustav in Batabano, on the southern coast of Cuba, August 30, 2008. Powerful Hurricane Gustav roared toward western Cuba on Saturday with 125 mph (205 kph) winds on its way to the oil-rich Gulf of Mexico after a deadly pass through the Caribbean.
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BANGKOK, THAILAND - AUGUST 30: A member of Anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) stands behind barbed wire outside Government on August 30, 2008, in Bangkok, Thailand. The protesters want to unseat the seven-month old coalition government lead by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.
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Manchester United's manager Sir Alex Ferguson is seen during his team's English League Cup semi-final first leg soccer match at Pride Park Stadium, Derby, England, Wednesday Jan. 7, 2009.
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Actor Jay Mohr and his wife actress Nikki Cox arrive at the 35th annual People's Choice awards in Los Angeles January 7, 2009.
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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 07: Singer Carrie Underwood arrives at the 35th Annual People's Choice Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on January 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.
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Recently starred
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WASHINGTON - JANUARY 07: U.S. President George W. Bush (C) meets with President-elect Barack Obama (2nd-L), former President Bill Clinton (2nd-R), former President Jimmy Carter (R) and former President George H.W. Bush (L) in the Oval Office January 7, 2009 in Washington, DC. On January 20, 2009 Barack Obama will be sworn in as the nations�s 44th president.
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North Korean leader Kim Jong-il (2nd R in the front row) visits the Chollima Steel Complex at an undisclosed location in North Korea, in this undated picture released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) December 25, 2008.
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Balloons with anti-North Korea leaflets released by former North Korean defectors and anti-North Korea activists fly towards the North in Imjinkak pavilion, near the demilitarised zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas in Paju, about 55 km (34 miles) north of Seoul, December 3, 2008. Dozens of activists, who demanded improvements of North Korea's human rights and the release of South Koreans abducted by the North, launched about 90,000 anti-Pyongyang leaflets in helium-filled balloons near DMZ on Wednesday.
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An Israeli woman and her two children take cover during a rocket attack near Kfar Aza, just outside the northern Gaza Strip January 7, 2009. The woman came to meet her husband, an Israeli army officer currently serving on the Gaza border. Rockets exploded as they were waiting for him. Israel postponed on Wednesday a decision on whether to order its armed forces to storm the Gaza Strip's urban centres, an Israeli official said, citing Egyptian- and French-led efforts to secure a truce with Hamas.
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Quotes about Francisco Rodriguez
If the Mets get the healthy J.J. Putz - he missed time with rib and elbow injuries in 2008 - they might actually have acquired the best closer of their offseason, one even better than their new closer Francisco Rodriguez.
was said
in Sports Blogs
It’s a new challenge and I’m excited about it… I’m going to a new team that’s going to be very competitive. Francisco Rodriguez is a great closer and with Sean Green going as well, we should have a great bullpen.
was said
in Sports Blogs
Our biggest need in the offseason was to find a closer ... I can't think of a better guy to do that than Francisco Rodriguez.
said Omar Minaya
Our goal from day one was to improve the bullpen, and I cannot think of a better reliever that we'd be able to sign than Francisco Rodriguez ... The stats speak for themselves on him, not only breaking the record in saves this year, but the consistency that he's done that, his drive, his youth, so we're excited to be able to have Francisco Rodriguez, known as K-Rod, to join the New York Mets.
said Omar Minaya
in MLB.com
From day one, our goal was to improve the bullpen and I cannot think of a better reliever to sign than Francisco Rodriguez ... and we are proud to have the man known as K-Rod join the Mets.
was said
in Metsblog.com
Quotes from articles mentioning Francisco Rodriguez
You like a nice, smooth-delivery guy. Much easier ... But it's that funkiness that helps him.
said Omar Minaya
in KFMB
I'm thrilled to join the Mets ... Mets fans are very passionate and playing in a new ballpark is going to be great. I'm going to do everything I can to help bring a championship to Citi Field.
said Francisco Rodriguez
in KFMB
I think it's a good deal for both sides ... It wasn't like he was the only one out there. That works on my side.
said Omar Minaya
in KFMB
I just thought that when you look at the volume, there's Mariano and then there's Frankie _ statistically
was said
in KFMB
I think the numbers speak for themselves but I think he adds confidence and a little swagger to the team ... He's a guy that has pitched in big playoff situations and has been to where we are trying to go. He has two or three pitches that he can throw in any count for strikes, and gets a ton of strikeouts.
was said
in KFMB
To get one closer like Frankie would have been a good winter. I think to get two guys like this is a great winter
was said
in KFMB
