Matt Holliday or Jason Bay: Who Do the Mets Need in Left Field?

The Mets need an everyday left fielder—on that we can agree—but the question of who Omar Minaya will make the effort to acquire and who he is willing to give up in the process is what fans are concerned about this winter.

Free agent acquisitions are obviously a big issue with the winter meetings in December, but trade opportunities will no doubt also present themselves, and Minaya needs to be aggressive but not further deplete the Mets' anemic farm system in the process.

Minaya has stated that he wants St. Louis Cardinal Matt Holliday but that Jason Bay of the Boston Red Sox is also under consideration for left field.

Both are proven outfielders, no question, but Holliday is at the top of the wish list for Minaya, and a big name move to gain power would definitely put Mets fans' minds at ease as one was lacking in 2009.

Being that Holliday is a National Leaguer, he is familiar with the Mets and their fans more than Bay coming from the American League.

Lets compare 2009 stats:

Bay

Batting Average: .267, Home Runs: 36, RBI: 119

Holliday

Batting Average: .313, Home Runs: 24, RBI: 109

Bay had the HR and RBI advantage, but Holliday had the batting average advantage. However, who knows what could change for either of them when Citi Field is their new home stadium?

The Mets need power in the lineup and defense in left field, but mostly they need stability, something that was sorely lacking in 2009 mainly due to the injuries to key players.

Daniel Murphy was clearly not the answer in left field but certainly proved his worth at first base in Carlos Delgado's absence.

Gary Sheffield was more than adequate, but his age and injury issues make it hard for him to be dependable, though I do think that the Mets may retain Sheffield for at least the first half of 2010 to come in as a pinch hitter.

Mr. Minaya, the ball is in your court, so to speak. Make your moves for the good of the 2010 team and beyond.