Circa 2003-2004: Aaron Heilman is a failed pitching prospect who can't get anyone out, as a starter or a reliever. Circa September 2005: Aaron Heilman is the most integral part of he Mets' bullpen. He's a trading chip who they'll never trade, unless they get the 1968 version of Bob Gibson. Circa Winter 2005-06: Aaron Heilman, wonderboy of the 2005 pitching staff, is being bandied about like a shuttlecock. He's a starter; he's a reliever; he's an Oakland A; he's the closer; he's Billy Wagner's caddy; he's a starter, but only if there's an extended injury to a Mets starter; he's a setup guy otherwise. 2006: The Mets call in every pitcher who's ever started a game in the major leagues, including Jose Freaking Lima and John "I Swear I Was A Top Prospect Once" Maine, to fill in for injuries, while Heilman languishes in the bullpen. Meanwhile, poor, downtrodden Aaron Heilman reverts closer to his old form, walking the ballpark and generally causing fans to groan every time they see him warming up. I thought someone (Willie? Ed Coleman? Omar?) said that they wouldn't use Heilman as a starter unless it was for the long term. Here's the question: How much longer term do you want? You have a guy (Sanchez) who does what you wanted Heilman to do, and you have a huge John Maine-sized hole in the starting rotation. What's up? If he was pitching better out of the bullpen, they'd leave him in there because he's pitching well. Is it the case that because he's struggled, they'd rather leave him there because they're afraid he's going to struggle in the rotation? Like he could possibly be worse than John Maine and Jose Lima? I don't get it. Heilman's going to be dealt for pennies on the dollar, and he's going to make the fucking All-Star team next year for the A's or the Phillies or someone. Lock that one up in the predictions thread.