Well, I think some depends on the pen. While you're theoretically replacing Frankie with Beato or likely Izzy if he's still got his arm on, you're actually taking 20 or so innings that he would've pitched, and given them to someone like Igarashi who'd be promoted to take the spot on the roster. Those innings wouldn't be in the 9th, but would they necessarily be lower leverage? As with most things, I'm okay with that idea if they reassign his money to something valuable like Reyes. If they turn around and sign some B closer for 65-70% of the effectiveness of K-Rod, I'd just as soon the Mets try to extend Frankie themselves. If they kept him at his current rate, the difference actually ends up being what Reyes would likely get as a raise. There are a lot of facets to this though. Trading him is actually better than avoiding the vest, as they save the $3.5 million buy out. The Mets bullpen has been pretty damn good lately, and while you probably don't lose much having Izzy close, the overall depth of the bullpen does decrease, and if you had to pick the 'weakest' part of the Mets as a whole, it just might be the rotation. But if you have confidence in the bullpen, you can have a quicker hook on the starters. Then again, maybe the Mets acquire someone, Pelfrey and Niese pitch like they do at their heights last year, and Santana returns and the starters actually look better. Very complicated decision for Alderson, and there isn't an obvious 'right answer' as it all depends on the package in return, how they're going to use their money, and hte payroll next year.