October 24 New York Post "The Mets plan on targeting Derek Lowe and Brian Fuentes in the free agent market, an NL executive who has talked to team officials told the Post. The Mets are promising to be creative and explore many avenues. But Lowe (a dependable innings eater) and Fuentes (a proven closer) fit the Mets' top two needs, and are going to be pursued by the organization this offseason. Lowe, 35, has made at least 32 starts and won at least 12 games in each of the past seven seasons. He is a groundball artist and has experience in the Northeast/playoff cauldron for the Red Sox. He is a Scott Boras client who will have plenty of suitors, including the Yankees, and probably will take well into the offseason to sign. Fuentes, however, could come off the board quickly because, executives say, his market of around three years at $36 million-$39 million has been established. The Mets have indicated they don't want to pay a big salary to a new closer in addition to paying Billy Wagner, who will miss all of 2009 and whose $13 million contract is not insured. But they have determined their need is great enough and the top closer on the market, Francisco Rodriguez, might cost too much to sign. Fuentes has 111 saves over the past four seasons, including 30 last year when he pitched to a 2.73 ERA and struck out 82 in 622/3 innings. He does have an unorthodox delivery, however, that leads to questions about his consistency and susceptibility to injuries." -- Mets needs one LF slugger Matt Holliday? --

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