Minaya Expects to Sign a Closer in Las Vegas

How determined is Omar Minaya to find a closer during the winter meetings this week in Las Vegas? So much so that the New York Daily News reports Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon, who's needed to sign off on any deal, tagged along for the trip.

Minaya met with Francisco Rodriguez last night and is expected to meet with Brian Fuentes and Trevor Hoffman in the coming days. Kerry Wood is also a possibility; he's been linked with Detroit, but the Tigers may be scared by his price tag. Either way, the market for closers is deep, and Minaya expects to take advantage:

"I expect to leave with players," Minaya said. "I think there's a chance we can hopefully get something done here."

Minaya has prioritized pitching.

"I would like to resolve the closer first," Minaya said. "But if we can't come to terms and the starting pitcher is there, then we're going to have to do the starting pitcher."

There are several viable options on the trade market, as well, but Minaya indicated he'd rather sign a free agent than make a trade. It might cost him a couple of prospects if he signs a guy offered arbitration by his former team, but that'd be easier to swallow in the short-term than giving up a prospect close to being ready for the bigs.

Once Minaya finds his man, don't be surprised if the market quickly thins. The Mets have the deepest pockets of any team looking for ninth-inning help, and most free agents seem to be in a holding pattern until the Mets make their move. Once they do, the rest of the pieces will likely fall into place.