Just heard it on sny if we get Wilson and Oswalt for the pen and they're half of what they used to be we can be in decent shape with our relievers

If you were Oswalt, and your choices were retire or pitch for the bullpen of a Mets team that has absolutely no shot at winning. What you you do?

I'd ask what the pay is.

Why is everybody assuming Oswalt would be in the pen: Santana, Harvey, Neise, Oswalt, and Marcum

The real question is retire or earn an easy couple million 1 year deal. Most people choose the latter

so no Wheeler for the season ?

"I'd ask what the pay is."

Correct answer.

I think barring a trade, there's a good chance Wheeler will spend the season at AAA. We'll be bad with him or without him, and what's the point of shaking his confidence with a 3.00 ERA but a 3-12 won/loss record.

Better to shake his confidence with a 5.0 ERA in Las Vegas?

Not saying it's a great idea. Just trying to understand the organization's reasoning.

>>>"The real question is retire or earn an easy couple million 1 year deal. Most people choose the latter"<<<

For a veteran who's had a star career, and who's earned tens of millions of dollars per year for his work, I don't think continuing to pitch another year is going to be about earning an extra couple of million.

Unless Oswalt has been foolish with his money, it's safe to say the guy is set for 10 lifetimes. For a guy like that, I think it's going to be about the desire to compete one last time, and maybe go out on the best note possible, and not about a few extra million.

Weird.

I mean, I actually like both signings... I would assume low risk/high reward, but seems odd that SA focuses on pitching when there isn't a single legit OF on the team. Financial constraints, I would imagine.

Depth on a pitching staff (anywhere actually) is not a bad thing. Especially when you are talking about adding veterans with experience to a mix that will have some young arms along with some pitchers that are coming back from injury. Ironically, both Oswalt and Wilson themselves are coming back from injuries to one degree or another. Realistically, I dont see the Mets signing both of them, and If I had to choose only one, I would lean more towards Wilson.
When Oswalt was last pitching, we was relatively ineffective. Wilson was pretty much dominating until his injury. Wilson will still need some time to be at 100% and I would not rush that process, so he does not relapse. This will give the Pen an opportunity to find its pecking order based on opportunity and results that are already in house.
Parnell will compete and help push Francisco and the more reliable pitcher will be the closer (the other the 8 inning man). Once Wilson is ready, he can compete with the current closer, and give the most deserving candidate the closer role, and the other gets the 8th inning or 7th inning specialist. A lot will also depend on lefty/righty match ups and the success (or lack of), by Feliciano, Edgin, Carson, Mejia, Byrdak ETC.

If we can land him on a one year, incentive laden contract, all parties may be happy. Wilson is not going to get a multi-year deal that he likes this winter. He may want to go to a team like the Mets where he can potentially close, and in the process re-establish his value amongst closers. Next winter he can cash in on a long-term deal with someone else, but we may get a productive year out of him for cheap.

Wheeler will be called up when someone breaks down. Probably Santana after 20 or so starts. Or if Gee or Harvey are not effective and Mejia and the others are stinking up the rotation. One way or another he'll be here the second half...assuming he doesn't get hurt himself, or is totally ineffective in LV.

I think they're going to look for someone internal to help our OF situation, Dekker or see how effective Flores can be in the out field. Either that or hope for a breakout season from Duda, Cowgill, or Baxter.

Most people choose the latter

That's the answer for the normal person. Not a guy who has made tens of millions of dollars and has always stressed a preference to play near his home.

Exactly right. If Oswalt wants to retire, he'll say no. His agent didn't indicate that. Wilson is another story. I don't want to see Francisco trying to close. If he recovers, Wilson could fill an important role in 2103 and beyond.