"Of course, we're going to try to win the division. Of course, we're going to be the front-runner. Of course, we're going to be the team to beat," he said yesterday.

Four days after agreeing to a $37 million, three-year contract, K-Rod was confident the Mets will put consecutive September collapses behind and overtake the World Series champion Phillies in ruling the NL East.

"I don't want there to be a controversy or the other ballclubs in that division to take it personally or take it in a bad way," he said. "If they ask me, 'Oh, which ballclub is going to win the National League East?' It's going to be the Mets. Easy question."

In 2007 and 2008, the Mets treated their fans much the same way Lucy dealt with Charlie Brown trying to kick a football: They promised everything would be different this time only to yank the ball away at the end. September leads evaporated, and they were eliminated on the last day of the regular season.

"Everybody knows what happened, unfortunately. They didn't get the job done. Unfortunately, you know, it happens," Rodriguez said from Venezuela during a conference call. "We cannot be living with the past. We just have to get that behind us and get focused."

In a span of four days, the Mets reached a deal with K-Rod, acquired J.J. Putz from Seattle and exiled three of the guilty, trading Aaron Heilman, Joe Smith and Scott Schoeneweis. The Mets want to forget a season in which they blew 29-of-72 save chances.

Rodriguez saved a major-league record 62 games for the Los Angeles Angels last season and says he's ready for a changed atmosphere. He is looking forward to the energy of the Mets' fans and wants to earn their respect.

"New York's atmosphere is totally different. The fans are really passionate," he said. "A lot of players like to be on that stage. I'm the kind of guy that likes to be on the big stage."

* Angels: The team made an eight-year offer to first baseman Mark Teixeira during last week's winter meetings. Boston, Washington and Baltimore all have expressed interest in Teixeira, who has also met with the Yankees.

* Indians: Kerry Wood is Cleveland's new closer. The former Cubs star signed a $20.5 million, two-year contract yesterday, a deal that includes a 2011 option that could become guaranteed. The oft-injured Wood, 31, saved 34 games last season, his first as a closer.

* Royals: Reliever Kyle Farnsworth and the team completed negotiations on a two-year contract yesterday.

* Rockies: Reliever Alan Embree agreed to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2010.

* Nationals: Outfielder Ryan Langerhans and infielder Pete Orr were among 13 players who agreed to minor-league contracts with Washington yesterday. Langerhans hit .234 with three homers and 12 RBI for the Nationals last season while Orr batted .253 with seven RBI in 49 games.