Meet the Mets

I has been 19 days since the Mets were eliminated from the Playoffs. It was very tough to think towards next season at first for obvious reasons. Now I am ready. The World Series is almost a distant memory, offseason awards are being given out and free agency is on the way. Looking at the Mets there are three major issues they need to address. Second baseman, a corner outfielder and starting pitching. Below I am going to list the moves that I think the Mets should make...

1. Sign Barry Zito...I understand that issue with this pitcher. His stats have decreased from 2002 when he won the Cy Young. There are a couple things to consider here though. He is very durable. He has pitched over 200 innings in five straight seasons and his ERA is consistently under 4.00. When you throw him in the NL his ERA could drop half a run. In addition, he has a history with Rick Peterson (pitching coach of the Mets). While you will over pay to get Zito, he is more of a known commodity than the Japanese pitcher and will cost about the same when you factor in bidding price.

2. Sign Mark Loretta or Adam Kennedy...Both of these guys are veteran second basemen. They each are solid hitters and good fielders. They are good guys in the clubhouse who have been around winning ballclubs in the past. They will not command a high salary or a long term contract. These players are both known as guys who are good in the clutch and will do the little things that a club needs to win.

OK....I started this post on the fly and now I don't know what other move the Mets should do. I really like those two a lot, but nothing else is sticking out. I still like Milledge so I am not eager to trade him. I like the power arms of Pelfrey and Humber as well. I want to give Oliver Perez a chance to start, but I am very open to trading John Maine. Endy Chavez is a good fourth outfielder at best. We need a power corner bat either, preferably right handed. Open to suggestions, I really do not know how the Mets should address that at the moment...

Yankee suggestions?

1. Trade AROD...I think he is a lost cause, and not numbers wise. He will have a big year statistically where ever he plays next year. The issue is the unnecessary drama he brings to the clubhouse. His teammates don't like him and neither do the fans. They should cut their ties with him and try to get a young power arm in return for him (Peavy, Ervin Santana, etc..)

2. Sign Aramis Ramirez...He is a bigtime power righthanded bat that will replace AROD. He will hit and play good defense and not be a negative clubhouse presence. He has been known to get off to poor starts, so that might not play well in New York. If the Yanks are winning though, he should be fine and will end up batting .280 30 HRs and 100 RBIs.

3. Trade Sheffield...Again, power arms! In addition a young, defensive minded first baseman would help this team a ton as well. Sheffield is a cancer that this team does not need.

4. Let Bernie go and let Melky be the fourth outfielder...Melky needs to continue to develop, and Bernie would hinder further development from him.

This is a start....prolly go after the Japanese pitcher, bullpen help as always. Not sure about Pavano or Wright and Randy is a huge question mark.

Red Sox??? Why not...

1. Seriously look to trade Manny....If you can get an AROD arm for him (Peavy, Ervin Santana) then go for it. He has only two years left on his contract so teams will be more eager than ever before to acquire him. Not just the Mets this time...

2. Sign Soriano....Dynamic and can play left field vacated by Manny. He will hit 50 HRs in Fenway. He has played in pressure before and has produced.

3. Sign Eric Gagne....Take a shot on him to close if Palpabon is gunna start. He had electric stuff and if he is anything close to what he was he will still dominate. A possible incentive laden two year contract??

4. Pray....That Hanson, Lester, and Palpabon don't all bomb. Lester and Palpabon from injury and Hansen from lack of development. If two of the three can be major contributors in 2007 they can win the division.

The Red Sox have two dynamic offensive players on their roster. They need more youth, speed and explosiveness to compete with the Yanks. They have some good arms that just need to put it together. I would not be against them going after the Japanese pitcher, but it will be a lot of money that they could possible spend better elsewhere...


STKAFI....Sell The Knicks And Fire Isiah...This will be the new sign off to every post.