BY SCOTT LAUBERLAS VEGAS -- After two days of meeting with closers, the Mets are poised to announce the signing of Francisco Rodriguez to a three-year, $37 million contract. Rodriguez set a major-league record with 62 saves last season for the Angels.
So now, at last, the Mets have their answer to Brad Lidge, who signed a three-year, $37.5 million contract extension in July.
(Updated, 5:37 p.m. Eastern): The move to get K-Rod likely takes the Mets out of the Raul Ibanez sweepstakes, according to sources. The Phillies and Cubs seem to be the leading candidates for Ibanez.
(Updated, 8:30 p.m. Eastern): Never mind that the impending acquisition of K-Rod strengthens the Mets' beleaguered bullpen and bridges the biggest gap between the Phillies and Mets. Ruben Amaro Jr. isn't concerned.
"I don't think it affects us much," Amaro just told us. "They've had Billy Wagner, and we still beat them the last two years. He's going to be a fine addition to their club if, in fact, the deal is finalized [pending a physical]. But those sorts of things don't affect our manager and doesn't affect our players. They just go out and play, and I think that they like those challenges. We don't operate on a reactive basis. We try to do what's necessary to improve our club. And we can't worry about what the Mets or Marlins or Atlanta Braves are doing out there."
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