AAOP: Best, Realistic Plan

The New York Mets have a tough off-season that has started upon us already. And quiet frankly I believe it will be hard for the Mets to contend in the 2010 season. Being realistic in thoughts here, The Mets should try and add depth to there depleted farm system. Let me show you step by step on how they can at least try to contend will building for the future.

•  Joel Pineiro: He had a fine 2009 performance well adding a sinker to his repertoire. Even though Citi Field is a fly ball pitchers ballpark, why not add a sinkerball pitcher. He would be a different look then the other Met pitchers. He did also start 32 games this year, with an impressive 3.49 ERA. He maybe asking for a lot of money, somewhere around 3 years $30mill. I would offer him a contract worth about $20mill over 3 years. They way the market is today, its not a players market anymore. So the Mets should take advantage of it, and not overpay for average pitcher.
• Rich Harden: I would honestly love to have this guy on our team. He could be the #2 starter the Mets have been looking for. The only knock on this guy is his injury history. But he is a strike out pitcher, something I believe The Mets are lacking. He is one of the best when healthy, and I like him more than John Lackey. I would give him a 1 year deal with a base salary of $5mill plus incentives. And an option for a second year.
• Ben Sheets: A la Rich Harden. His guy has a ton of talent, but cant seem to stay on the field. I would try to lure him in the a deal similar to Rich Harden.

Trades for Pitching:

1. This first trade would happen during the season if....and only if either Harden or Sheets signs. This would prove to other teams that they are healthy right now. And since they are always at risk of being hurt, why not pick up a few prospects for them. They wouldnthave to be #1 prospects but maybe 2 or 3 descent ones to add depth to the system. And this trade is only if we could sign one of the two.
2. Trading for Jeremy Guthrie. He is a late blossom-er and had a terrible 2009, but I believe that he has good quality stuff. This is the perfect opportunity for The Mets, as in a buy low scenerio. I wouldnt think that acquiring Guthrie woulddiminish the farm. I would give up a Dillion Gee plus another descent prospect or two like a Adam Bostick maybe? for Guthrie. Plus Jeremy has a pretty reasonable contract if im not mistaken.

With that said lets look and see what the pitching staff could look like.

Starters

• J. Santana
• Rich Harden/Sheets (I feel only one of the two would sign)
• J. Guthrie
• M. Pelfrey
• J. Maine/ O. Perez

1. Left Fielder: Matt Holiday and Jason Bay have been inked to The Metsso far this off-season. But I would stay away from them. Matt, to me wants way to much money, and Bay is getting up there in age. I wouldn't commit so much money to these twoplayers. Instead I would like to find a cheaper short term solution here. And yes I know that we wanted to add power to the lineup but we are rebuilding, not plugging in holes. Example, the past two off-seasons.

• Marlon Byrd: He is 32 years old and coming off one of his best offencive years to date. The question about this guy is, Can he do it without playing in Arlington? Sure he can. He is a speedy outfielder that can cover ground in the biggest of ballparks. CitiField would be a perfect fit for him, even towards an offencive standpoint. I could give the guy a 2 year deal worth around $10million.
• Rick Ankiel: He has had his problems in the past, but I wouldn't hesitateto give him a 1 year contract worth around $4 million. He has pop, and thats what the Mets are looking for. He is coming off of a bad year, so you might get him for a cheaper amount. The Mets should look heavily into this option.

I know there are better options out there for LF. But being realistic, these are the best options for The Mets. We all wouldlove to acquire a guy like Crawford but would you be willing to give up your whole farm system for him? And if so we wouldbe back to square one. Blaming Omar for the lack of depth in the farm. So as of now, hold on and be patient  and wait for our guys to develop like a Fernando Martinez.

1. 1st Base: A position similar to Left Field. First Base is a power hitters position, and the Mets would love to have it here too. There are a few possible options that seem to fit for the Mets.

• Hank Blalock: Another player that as had a tough year, Blalocklost his job to rookie Chris Davis during the season. He will command a good amount of money I believe. But he would be a good fit for the Mets. He has the power, and is a pretty average hitter. I would offer him another 1 year contract like many other players for around $4.5million.
• Carlos Delgado: After a disappointing 2009 season due to hip injury. The Mets should bring him back for a 1 year contract worth $3million plus incentives. I feel that Delgado has something to prove to the fans, and that he will perform.

Trades for a First Basemen

1. Adrian Gonzalez: One of the best first basemensin the game, it would be hard to get him out of San Diego. In this situation, I believe the Mets, if they had to, trade away there prized prospects. Gonzalez is the real deal. He proved he can hit in San Diego, a hard ballpark to play in. So he sould be able to go good in CitiField. I would trade away...F. Martinez, R. Havens, W. Flores, J. Niese. This to me should be a reasonable package to send to the Padres, while still holding onto I. Davis, B. Holt.
2. Chris Davis: Took Hank Blalocks job this season. He is a young power hitting first basemen with potiental. He might lose his starting job to rookie Justin Smoak. So give the Rangers a call and check their asking price. I would think that R. Havens, D. Gee, D. Murphywould be a good, realistic deal. Lets face it, Murphy has fallen out of favor, Reese has not lived up to his 1st round standards, and Dillion is a bright spot for any organization.

1. Catchers:The market isnt the best for catchers, but I can see some upgrades over Schneider out there. Just stay away for old catcher like Molina. He is a huge upgrade in offensive product, but he is old. The best option might be to trade for a catcher. And Chris Synder should'nt be an option. You cannot keep bringing in guys that are hurt with big contracts, its just not smart.

• Miguel Olivo: He wouldbe the only free agent I would consider signing. He impressed me when he played for the Marlins a few years ago. But He is an average hitter, still an upgrade over what you had. And he could be put in a platoon with either Omir Santos, or rookie Josh Thole. Consider giving him a contract for 2 years worth around $5million.

Trades for catcher

1. Gerald Laird: He was traded to the Tigers last off season, and the Tigers are cutting payroll this off season. So Laird might become available. He is a younger catcher then the free agent class, and has shown some power hitting. Why not give him a shot in New York. Consider trading a D. Gee, A. Bostick, or a B. Parnellfor him.

1. Second Base: I have mixed feelings about this position. 1. I would love to has Orlando Hudson on our team. 2. Castillo did'nt do that bad of a job this year. So im kind of torn on this position. Castillo's contract is the only problem right now about him. It would be hard to trade him unless you are willing to eat a portion of it. But if he was traded, how much would Hudson want from the Mets? Would it be the same amount? So in theory, The Mets should just hang on to Castillo. Its to late now.

1. The Bullpen: It seems like every year we have to talk about them. We thought we fixed it last year by signing K-Rod and acquiring J.J. Putz. As we all know, Putz was a complete bust. And K-Rod struggled in the second half. There isnt a great market out there could I see some opportunities to upgrade.

• Darren Oliver: The Mets should not have let him walk after the 2006 season. He was a good asset in the bullpen, and made a few spot starts. He has done an excellent job for the Angels and I would welcome him back with open arms. I would give him a 2 year $6million contract with an option for a third year.
• Chad Bradford: Same thing with Bradford. Just look up at Olivers description. Id give him a 1 year deal for around $1million
• J.J. Putz: Resign him to a cheaper deal with incentives. He has something to prove to New York Fans. 1 year deal worth $4million plus incentives.

That is the off-season plans I put together for the New York Mets. I put a lot of time and thought into this, and I believe it is the most realistic plan for the Mets. They can't keep plugging in players where they are needed. We have done this the past few years, and it has not worked out. We should just rebuild and start from the bottom up. And who knows, mayeb you can contend with the role players you sign in the off season.

 Lets Go Mets!