Cruz is another reliever they could look at.....

In 2006 the Mets were scouting teams to bolster their pitching staff for the playoff run at the trade deadline. One of the pitchers it is believed they looked at was Juan Cruz.

The New York Mets have scouted the starts by Miguel Batista and Juan Cruz the last two days amid reports they were looking for more pitching for the stretch run, and the teams have had preliminary conversations about a possible deadline trade. source East Valley Tribune

Since then Cruz has been moved from the rotation into the pen and has become a solid set-up man. The 27 y/o right handed pitcher made 57 appearances this year in which he had an ERA of 2.61 with a record of 4-0. In eight major league seasons he has an ERA of 4.00 with a record of 29-31.

If K-Rod's price tag skyrockets, the Mets could target a cheaper option like Brian Fuentes. In either case, Juan Cruz would be a nice arm to add for a setup role, as Cruz succeeds against both left- and right-handed hitters, unlike pretty much everyone from the Mets' 2008 crew. Joe Smith will be back, deservedly so, and Bobby Parnell and Eddie Kunz should get chances to crack the staff. A closer and a solid setup guy like Cruz would improve the rest of the bullpen by limiting the others' appearances, so perhaps even some of the biggest 2008 culprits could succeed in Flushing in 2009. source SNY