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A devastating injury to closer Billy Wagner in August ensured the Mets' second September collapse in as many years. After blowing a seven-game lead with 17 to play in 2007, the '08 Mets squandered a 3½-game advantage with 17 to go.

NEW YORK METS

GM: Omar Minaya Manager: Jerry Manuel '08 record: 89-73, 2nd in NL East '08 payroll: $137.4M, 2nd MLB Runs scored: 799, T-2nd NL Runs allowed: 715, 11th NL OPS: .761, 4th NL ERA: 4.07, 6th NL Fielding percentage: .986, 3rd NL

Ownership decided to retain interim manager Jerry Manuel, who stabilized the team (55-38) after a sub-.500 start under Willie Randolph. But the ghosts still linger.

It'll be Manuel's job to convince the Mets they're just as good as the Phillies, whom they beat 10 out of 18 times in '08. It's those 11th-hour meltdowns that keep soiling the Mets' legacy.

Primary needs

There'll be an intense hunt for a closer, since Wagner's career with the Mets is over. He'll spend 2009 recovering from elbow surgery and likely will retire.

The club doesn't seem to have the appetite to pay Francisco Rodriguez, but could chase Brian Fuentes. But there's a strong need for starting pitching, too, since Pedro Martinez and Oliver Perez probably won't be back.

Free agents

RHP Pedro Martinez, LHP Oliver Perez, RHP Orlando Hernandez, LHP Luis Ayala, INF Damion Easley, INF Jose Valentin, LF Moises Alou, OF Endy Chavez

Pedro was the face of the Mets' renewal in 2005, but he's been on the disabled list for parts of the past three seasons. Perez, only 27, is blessed with a live arm but has Scott Boras as his agent. The Mets might just pass.

Trade bait

Aaron Heilman, once regarded as a high-end commodity, has worked his way down the ladder of success in Flushing; he needs a new home. But his 5.21 ERA in 2008 will be a turn-off to most general managers as the Mets attempt to deal him.

Moving second baseman Luis Castillo will be just as difficult -- not just because of his .245 average in 2008 (47 points below his career average) but because of the $18 million he's owed through 2011.

Farm aid

Prospects Eddie Kunz, Daniel Murphy and Jonathon Niese all made their major league debuts at various points in the '08 season. The one remaining mystery is Fernando Martinez, who is regarded as the organization's top up-and-coming position player.

The left-handed-hitting outfielder batted .287 at Double-A Binghamton last season and will be promoted to Triple-A Buffalo in 2009. Martinez is the left fielder of the future and could be at Citi Field by midsummer.

Outlook

The Mets figure to be big spenders this winter, chasing CC Sabathia and Derek Lowe (or both), and will open the checkbook for a closer, too.

The core -- Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, David Wright, Jose Reyes -- will return in '09, and with Johan Santana at the top of the rotation, the Mets will at least continue to be a few notches above competitive. But that's far from good enough: After three close calls since 2006, this group has yet to win the pennant.

If time isn't running out, patience certainly is.

Bob Klapisch is a sports columnist for The Record (N.J.) and a regular contributor to ESPN.com.