Exactly one year ago to the week, Jeff Francouer was struggling. He was hitting under .270 for the Atlanta Braves. Even though the fans loved their hometown hero, the Braves thought he was so done that they not only traded him away for an uninspiring journeyman outfielder, but they did it to their cross-town rival New York Mets.

Last year at about this time I made a lengthy post outlining what I expected from the 2009 team and what we would need to do to compete. My number 1 "key to success" was our ability to stay healthy. Boy, was that prohetic or what? So naturally this is what will lead off my list of what the Mets must do to have success in 2010:

Merry Christmas Mets fans. Omar "Santa" Minaya delivered this year's gift in the form of Kelvim Escobar. Not much of a gift you say? Stop being a humbug. It's better than nothing right?

Has the Bobby Parnell era begun? The New York Post reports:

"Bobby Parnell served notice last night that there might be at least one good reason to watch this floundering bunch over the season's final seven weeks: Parnell himself."

With Tim Redding shut down it's anyone's guess who will be the fifth starter now.

"The starting pitching depth the Mets sought during the offseason and believed they achieved has taken a hit. Right-handed pitcher Tim Redding, one of the four hurlers competing for the fifth spot in the rotation, has been shut down because of weakness and aching in his throwing shoulder." MLB.com - Mets Shut Down Redding

"Convinced that Duaner Sanchez would not regain the form he had in 2006, the Mets released the 29-year-old right-handed relief pitcher on Tuesday morning."

Mets Release Sanchez - MLB.com

I had such high hopes for Mr. Sanchez. But he never recovered properly from that car crash in 2007. With the acquisition of JJ Putz I thought he might get a chance to come back in 2009 without the pressure of having to set up for closer Frankie Rodriquez.

This might get people smiling a bit more. Johan Santana tosses batting practice yesterday. The word now is that Johan will be ready for opening day. Yay!

Now that the pursuit of Derek Lowe is over it's time to focus on Ollie Perez. Word is that Lowe will get $60 million over 4 years with the Braves.

The New York Post says:

"The Atlanta Braves were closing in on a $60 million, four-year deal with Lowe, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press. That is way above the last reported offer from the Mets, which was for three years, $36 million."

There's always Randy Wolf. I think I'd rather have Ollie (as nutty and unreliable as he is) back for 2009. How about you?

The Mets have made an offer to Derek Lowe. At 3 years and $36 million it's quite a bit lower than $75 million over 5 years that Lowe and his agent Scott Boras hoped to get.

The New York Post reports:

"Lowe is the Mets' first choice for the glaring hole in their rotation, with Oliver Perez Oliver Perez and Randy Wolf still possibilities if a deal can't be struck with Lowe. A Mets official termed it unlikely that the team would sign more than one starter from the group that includes Lowe, Perez and Wolf."

The Mets pulled off a pretty wild trade that has netted the team a guy who looks to be the setup man for Francisco Rodriquez.

The Mets picked up J.J. Putz a 31-year old relief pitcher from Seattle as part of a three team, 12-player trade. When the smoke cleared three signature Mets players were gone.

Aaron Heilman and Endy Chavez were shipped to the Mariners. Joe Smith was shipped to the Indians. Three minor league players, including Mike Carp, were shipped off by the Mets as well.

The New York Post weighs in on the deal and Putz: