FanHouse JJ Putz

The Mets got a scare on Saturday night when closer Francisco Rodriguez was taken down by back spasms so severe that he collapsed outside the clubhouse. He was seen "weeping in pain" before he was put on a stretcher and taken to a hospital.

Two hours after the Mets' 3-2 victory over the Red Sox, New York offered no report on Rodriguez's prognosis, but there was some optimism that the problem would not keep Rodriguez out for long, since he'd never had back spasms before. The scene described by the New York Post seemed severe, though.

FanHouse continues its 2009 MLB Preview with a look at the New York Mets.

The Mets have taken their fans on a fast and loose joy ride for the last three seasons. Unfortunately for those fans, each season has ended with the car going off the cliff, starting with a heartbreaking end to the 2006 NLCS and continuing through two straight years of blown division leads in September. They hope to change that this season with a new and improved bullpen, designed to keep the car from going off the cliff on a daily basis.

When the Mets initially acquired J.J. Putz from Seattle -- and you could more accurately say they rescued him -- reports surfaced that Putz was very unhappy about not being a closer anymore. People even started speculating about how long -- or, more specifically, short -- his stint in New York would actually be. All this before he even threw one pitch in a Mets uniform. Whether he was misunderstood or has since changed his mind, Putz didn't seem too annoyed when he was introduced to the New York media.

"It's not going to be that big an adjustment. ... Bottom line is, I want to win. I didn't really get a chance to do that in Seattle and to come to a team that's built to win right now, I'll pitch in the sixth, seventh, whatever it takes to get us a championship."

He also admitted his role is not ideal because he loves closing, but you can't really blame him for saying and believing that. He's a very solid closer.

The war of words between the Phillies and Mets hasn't slowed down by any means. Whether it's David Wright, Cole Hamels, or Jimmy Rollins, things aren't often quiet between the divisional foes. Francisco Rodriguez signed with the Mets this past week, and he's already joining the fray.

"Of course, we're going to be the front-runner. Of course, we're going to be the team to beat," he said Saturday.

"I don't want there to be a controversy or the other ballclubs in that division to take it personally or take it in a bad way," he said. "If they ask me, 'Oh, which ballclub is going to win the National League East?' It's going to be the Mets. Easy question."

I'm not sure I understand the need for his disclaimer. The Phillies just won the World Series, and you are telling them you are the front-runner in the division -- how could they not take that personally? Of course that's gonna be taken personal from the Phillies' point of view.

We're five full days deep in baseball and there's been a lot of action. In order to make the proper roster moves and know what to look for when you begin trade negotiations, it helps to understand the perceived value shifts that happen each week. So that's when we bust out the complex algorithms and determine who's up and who's down.

Ben Sheets -- Sheets looked great against the Cubs, engaging in a pitcher's duel against Carlos Zambrano, and even pitching post-rain delay; actually looking sharper. Sheets has a legitimate shot at the Cy Young and is a number one fantasy ace if he can avoid the injuries that have plagued him in the past.

Or, alternately: blahblahblahblah If he can stay healthy blahblahblahblah. I actually love Sheets but objectively he has to be considered a sell high, especially if he pieces together a few more of these starts. And considering Ned Yost seems unconcerned about his injury history.
Rich Harden -- See above.
Brian Bannister -- He absolutely shut down the Tigers. He won't overpower anyone but he's smart as hell and will get wins with nice ratios this season.