OPINION

By Richard Justice

updated 1:09 a.m. ET Nov. 11, 2008

One thing separated the Mets and Phillies last season. Actually, it was one person.

Brad Lidge.

Everything the Mets do this offseason should be geared toward finding someone to do for them what Brad Lidge did for the Phillies in 2008.

As far as offseason goals go, that's about as simple as it gets. The Mets may need tweaking in other areas, but until their single glaring weakness is fixed, those other things won't matter.

Here's an idea: Mets GM Omar Minaya should display a large photo of Lidge somewhere in his office and be forced to look at it first thing every morning.

He should make Lidge the background on his desktop and wear a Brad Lidge locket around his neck.

Minaya can't take his eye off the ball. He should be reminded again and again that the Phillies couldn't have won without Lidge. Had he pitched for the Mets, they might be the ones being measured for rings.

So when Francisco Rodriguez asks for an astronomical amount of money, Minaya should think long and hard about Brad Lidge before he answers.

Likewise, if the Mariners want too much for J.J. Putz, Minaya should remind himself of how Lidge transformed the Phillies.

Check out the numbers. The Mets and Phillies each scored 799 runs. Pretty close, right?

The Mets had a better rotation. Their starters had a lower ERA. They got more innings and more victories from their rotation than the Phillies did.

Slideshow Hot Stove: Top hitters, pitchers on market

But the Mets had 14 more blown saves than the Phillies. Mets relievers made good on 60 percent of their save chances; the Phillies converted 76 percent.

The Phillies didn't lose a game in which they led after eight innings. The Mets lost seven times when leading after the eighth.

Whatever chance the Mets had of winning the National League East probably ended when Billy Wagner pitched his final game on August 2.

Mets manager Jerry Manuel did a nice job mixing and matching his relievers for a while, but by those final three weeks, the bullpen was a disaster with an ERA approaching six.

Manuel was using three and four relievers to finish almost every game. And it wasn't nearly enough.

Mets fans are focused on Minaya making wholesale changes. They want to see no more of Aaron Heilman, Duaner Sanchez, Pedro Feliciano, etc.

They're missing the big picture. If Minaya acquires a closer, all those pitchers will assume other roles.

They've all had success in non-closing roles and might still be valuable in those roles.

There's a practical side to this as well. Minaya can't replace everyone. He still has almost his entire bullpen for relatively little money for another year.

He shouldn't stop with K-Rod. Let's face it, he's not limited by finances the way other general managers are.

The Mets may talk about fiscal responsibility, but in the end, they've got the resources to turn a weakness into a strength.

Doug Brocail and Russ Springer are both free agents. So are Bob Howry, Shawn Chacon and Darren Oliver.

Signing a first-rate closer is expensive, but filling in quality pieces in front of the closer isn't.

The Mets have had two embarrassing September meltdowns. There have been problems beyond the bullpen, but this season's problems began with the bullpen.

Now about Francisco Rodriguez. He's just 26 years old. He converted 62 of 69 save chances in 2008.

Slide show   The Week in Sports Pictures Fireworks, crash landings, Wimbledon theatrics and more. more photos

Last season was the first time he has made more than 69 appearances, so he should have more good years left in him.

He appears to have the temperament to thrive in the fishbowl that is New York, which is not like other places. Losses are magnified. Tabloids feed off slumps.

That's probably more true for a closer than any other position in the city, except for maybe the quarterbacks of the Jets and Giants.

Rodriguez has 208 career saves. He has pitched in a World Series at 20 and has been to the postseason four other times. He's accustomed to pitching with a lot on the line.

In the end, it's just money. It'll be a lot of money. Lidge's three-year, $37.5-million deal with the Phillies will be a starting point.

It's worth it. No number is too high. Not when you consider what the Mets have been through the last two years, not when you consider how he would turn a weakness into a strength.

Minaya's work won't be finished after he finds a closer, but the transformation of the Mets will have begun.

MORE FROM BASEBALL

Baseball Section Front

Lincecum’s no-hit bid falls short in Giants’ win Manny shines as Dodgers add to Mets’ woes Royals drop Red Sox into tie with Yankees Teixeira ends HR drought as Yanks edge Twins MLB blog: Jeter says ump lying, what will MLB do? Trade rumors swirl as Halladay loses to Rays Utley, Werth lead Phillies past Reds Phillies, Pedro circling around contract talks Rumors: Halladay and Wells a package deal? Victorino, Inge elected by fans to All-Star game Baseball Section Front   Add Baseball headlines to your news reader: