How To Fix The Mets 2010

Mets fans have suffered through a miserable 2009 campaign. (Photo Courtesy: NYTimes.com)

Don’t think I have to go into detail on how bad the 2009 season was for the New York Mets, or how bad it’s been the last 2 years. This off-season, the Mets will have to make some drastic changes. Below I will make a rough outline on who the Mets should target this winter, mostly from the free agent market. I will assume a few things. First, the Mets want to be competitive next season and won’t stand pat with their team or fire sale. Second, The Wilpons, despite their Madoff losses, will spend some money. Third, contracts will be similar to last year’s FA market. Now let’s get started:

GM & Manager- I know Minaya and Manuel aren’t going anywhere, they should be though. I think the Wilpons will keep them around solely so they won’t have to pay the remaining salary on their contracts if they get let go. Minaya needs to go and so does Manuel. The Mets’ should look at if Bobby Valentine would be interested in coming back to NY to manage since he is no longer wanted in Japan. They won’t though, and unfortunately, Minaya & Manuel are here to stay.

Catcher- Big need for the Mets. Brian Schneider will not be re-signed, but there is not a lot on the market here. Bengie Molina should be the #1 target, but only if it’s for a decent price. After that it’s not very good. Ivan Rodriguez & Rod Barajas would be next on the list, though Texas wants to re-sign Pudge. If Molina or Pudge can’t be signed, rookie Josh Thole might be the best option to start and any veteran to back-up. Of course there could be a trade made, but I’m mostly looking at fixing the team through free agency.

First Base- Another major need for the Mets. Carlos Delgado shouldn’t be re-signed, unless options fall through and he can be brought back for a low price. I don’t know if Daniel Murphy is the answer either. Nick Johnson would be a good target that could fit in nicely for the Mets, but his health and eroding defense is a major concern. Adam LaRoche might be a better choice than Johnson, he is putting up some good numbers for Atlanta, hitting .283 with 25 homers. Prince Fielder’s name will probably be all over the winter trade rumor mill for many teams, and he would obviously be the best option for the Mets if they could get him. Another option would be trading for Nationals’ left fielder Adam Dunn and moving him to 1B, though Dunn’s defense is terrible. The Mets need a good power hitter at first, because they need to up their power numbers next season to compete.

Second Base- Luis Castillo is having a great 2009 and has an immovable contract, he’s not going anywhere.

Shortstop- Jose Reyes is a great SS and is an important part of the core of this team, when healthy.

Third Base- Like Reyes, David Wright is part of the core of the team and the face of the Franchise. However, his decreased power numbers and strikeouts are disconcerting.

Outfield- This is where the options are plentiful in the FA market. Center fielder Carlos Beltran stays put under center, as he is still one of the best and just as important to the team as Wright or Reyes.  Ray’s Carl Crawford has a $10 million option, which the Rays would be crazy not to pick up. But, the Rays might pick up the option to trade Crawford. if that is the case, the Mets should do whatever they can to acquire him. Crawford should be target #1. If not Crawford, Matt Holliday and Jason Bay are obvious targets for LF. Jeff Francoeur is nice in RF, but there are many options if the Mets want to put someone with better numbers there. Bobby Abreu, Vlad Guerrero and Xavier Nady will be available. But, Abreu and Guerrero are aging players. There health issues with Nady and Guerrero too. Gary Sheffield wouldn’t be a bad option to be re-signed and being a pinch hitter.

Starting Pitching- The biggest problem area for the Mets in my opinion. I saw this as a glaring weakness for 2009, even if the staff was fully healthy. I don’t care how much Oliver Perez will make, he wouldn’t have a spot in my rotation on any team. Johan Santana is the obvious ace, after that there is much need for improvement. I would keep John Maine and Mike Pelfrey to fill out my number 4 & 5 spots respectively. John Lackey is an obvious target. A 1-2 of Santana and Lackey would give the Mets one of the best in the MLB, which would definitely compete with the Phillies’ 1-2 of Hammels- Lee. However, if Lackey isn’t re-signed by the Angels, something could be wrong there.

Justin Duchscherer is another great option to look at, as is Jason Marquis, who has already expressed interest to playing in New York. Taking a flier on Ben Sheets or Erik Bedard has definite upside, at the right price. I would be weary on pitchers Randy Wolf, Joel Pineiro and Rich Harden. Wolf might be having a career year. With Pineiro, any pitcher that was bad before going to St.Louis scares me when they leave, look at Jeff Weaver and Jeff Suppan. I feel it’s more the Cardinal pitching coach Dave Duncan effect than anything else. Rich Harden could be a great pick-up if he can return to his old self and stay healthy, but I think his best days are behind him.

I know this plan would take quite a bit of money and the Wilpons seem to be holding their checkbook tightly these days, but they will need to spend to compete seriously next year.