Report: Heilman wants to start or be traded

Nov 20, 2008 - 7:32 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Pitcher Aaron Heilman is apparently not happy with his role with the New York Mets.

According to a report Thursday from the New York Daily News, Heilman wants to move to the rotation or be traded from the Mets so he can become a starter elsewhere.

"The object the entire time has never been to get out of New York," Heilman's agent, Mark Rodgers, told the newspaper. "The object is to get out of the bullpen.

"The most success he's ever had as a pitcher has been as a starting pitcher. He was drafted by the Mets as a starting pitcher."

Heilman made 25 starts for New York from 2003-05, going 5-13 with a 5.93 ERA.

The 30-year-old Heilman has spent the past 3 1/2 seasons in the team's bullpen. The righthander went 3-8 with a 5.21 ERA and three saves in 2008.

Selected 18th overall in 2001, Heilman is 22-33 with a 4.24 ERA and nine saves during his six-year career - all with the Mets.