After two seasons ruined by terrible bullpens the New York Mets went to work Wednesday finalizing deals for a new closer and then a setup man.

Francisco “K-Rod” Rodriguez, he of 62 saves for Anaheim last season, inked a 3-year, $37 million contract that will become official pending a physical, according to the New York Daily News.

Not satisfied, the Mets then acquired former Seattle Mariners closer J.J. Putz in a 212 player trade involving 26 teams in 9 countries.

Okay, it wasn’t quite that big, but something approaching a dozen players did change hands in the deal, including Aaron Heilman, who wanted to be a starter.

While it’s early, if I were in Las Vegas right now – or if I get there before Spring Training starts, this deal would in my opinion make the Mets the odds-on favorite to win the National League. The Phillies and the Mets have dueled for the NL East the last couple years and Philadelphia has won, almost solely based on the Mets bullpen patheticness.

While Rodriguez’ WHIP numbers have increased ever so slightly the last two seasons he’ll just turn 27 a month before Spring Training. And he keeps racking up the saves.

Putz had an off year in 2008, falling in line with most Seattle Mariners, posting a respectable ERA of 3.88 but a terrible WHIP of 1.60. Still, the two seasons prior, he’d sported WHIPs under 1.00 and ERAs respectively of 2.30 and 1.38 during a 2007 season in which he garnered some MVP votes.

Given that the Yankees finally bagged CC Sabathia Wednesday, the Mets were going to need a couple blockbuster moves to keep themselves in the front of the New York sports sections. They’ve definitely accomplished that. A Subway Series this year? That would be a dream come true for the networks.