Ten Things the Mets Should Do to Get Better

I have been watching the Mets all year and have been coming up with tons of things they could do to get better.

It just seems like this team is so underachieving.

They are not a bad team by any means, just misguided. Everyone has to remember, including myself, that it is only June.

It's a young season; plenty of time to fix some stuff up.

I have come up with my “Ten Things the Mets Should Do to Get Better” list. I am just going to tell you what I think the Metropolitans should do.

Ten: Let Our Starters Go the Distance

Time after time, manager Jerry Manuel pulls guys way too early.

Livan can go all day and Santana can pitch into the hundred-pitch count easily.

If we can get longer starts from some guys, that might help save the bullpen.

Also this will make the other starters in John Maine, Mike Pelfrey and Tim Redding work harder.

Nine: Mix up the line-up

Just completely mix up the line-up.

Bat Wright ninth and Reed third some games.

It does not have to be that crazy, but make it different. Take a page out of old Billy's book.

It worked for him, so, who knows.

Eight: Bring in a Leader

The Mets need someone who can help rattle the clubhouse.

They need a player with a good attitude but also will command respect.

I was thinking someone like Jose Valentin. He was great for Reyes along with the other young players. Since he has been gone in late 2007, nothing has gone right.

The Mets should also bring in a power bat like Aubrey Huff. He is currently with Baltimore and should not be too hard to get.

Seven: Fire Manuel

Well it is hard to say, but Manuel is not the kind of guy a depressed, out of whack team needs.

He is a good guy and solid manger, but he doesn't cut it. Sadly I think its time to say goodbye to Jerry.

He just cannot get Reyes fired up. Let me rephrase that; he cannot get the any of Mets fired up!

Who do you bring in, you may ask. To be truthful, I think you bring in a man from within, or you give former Mets manager Bobby Valentine a second shot and give him a big contract.

Six: Get a little physcial with the Phillies.

Jerry should have a guy like Livan throw some chin music. It really cannot hurt to see any kind of fire from the Mets.

Hopefully the benches will be cleared, maybe a few suspensions. If that is what it takes to get the Mets going, I am all for it.

Not to mention, things would be more fun to watch anytime the Phillies are in town.

Five: Hold a Player Meeting

This is a time for guys like Reyes, Wright, Pelfrey and Maine to show the front office their leadership skills.

Maybe if some of the older guys see some passion or will to win, they might be inspired to play harder.

Four: Trade Wright or Reyes

If the team just keeps failing, then it is time to trade one of the centerpieces of a so far disappointing Mets franchise.

Wright has become a “un-clutch, soft player” and Reyes has lost the excitement and is injury prone.

I really do not see what the Mets can do if the choking continues.

Three: Pick up a Veteran Pitcher

Pedro is just waiting to be resigned by the Mets to prove he still has it.

I know this might hurt to hear, but Tom Glavine is now on the market. I understand why some Met fans would be scared to see him in a orange and blue uniform again. Lets just say his last outing was not too terrific.

His defense can help the Mets in a positive way.

First off, he will be dying to get back at the Braves.

Also, he will be a tough match up against the strong left handed bats for the Phillies. Tommy is still a crafty vet that can outsmart the weaker teams in the National League.

Two: Get healthy

Lately the Mets have been called the “B” team, “Wright plus eight” and the “New York Bison.” Lets face it; they are banged up beyond belief.

Even before this, they were nothing special. Yes, they were on a bit of a streak, but still, nothing to be jumping up and down about.

Missing Reyes, Beltran, Delgado, Church, Cora, Pagan and now Martinez is mentally, physically, and emotionally tough for the rest of the team.

This would be like the Yankees Missing Jeter, Teixeira, Damon and a bunch of bench players. I don't see them winning 17 out of 22.

This would also be like the Phillies without Ibanez, Utley and Howard along with their bench players. I don't see them doing as well either.

I feel we will see who the Mets are when they have their All-Stars back. It cannot come soon enough for us fans.

One: Let Go of Omar Minaya

If the Mets get to the point where the fans stop coming, then its time to let go of Omar Minaya.

Do I believe they will get to this point? Absolutely not!

If for some reason they do, then it's time to take the man who built this team.