How To Fix the New York Mets in a Few Easy Steps

This isn’t going to be a particularly enjoyable column for me to write.

For a second-straight year, I’ve watched the New York Mets come “oh-so-close” to a playoff berth, while gagging on the 162nd game of the season to a team full of cocky misfits that take pride on giving the Mets their best effort, but apparently no one else. I’m speaking of “The Team with Few fans”: the Florida Marlins.

But I digress.

The Mets blew another shot to go to the postseason, not because of their insanely inefficient bullpen (which, if had performed even decently, would have handed the Mets the division weeks ago and saved me many trips back-and-forth to the liquor cabinet), but because of their inconsistent offense, an offense which fostered a trend of scoring early and putting the car in cruise control after their first at-bats.

This “inability to tack on runs,” compounded with a bullpen that had a propensity to throw meatballs during these close contests, lead to far too many losses and plenty of flustered, confused, and angry fans. This is not how fans and the front office wanted to close Shea Stadium. Sucks for us.

For a team with this much talent and such high expectations, this late-season mediocrity is astonishing. But maybe we should put it in perspective: As badly as the Mets played at the end of the season, at least they weren’t the Detroit Tigers.

Also, imagine if the Brewers had managed to get swept by Chicago to end the season. Their collapse would have been FAR worse than the Mets’. After all, they had the wild card seemingly wrapped up weeks ago and hadn’t made the postseason since 1982.

One could also argue that their '07 collapse rivaled that of the Mets. But they play in Packers and Badgers country, right? I always assumed that people in southern Wisconsin were all Cubs fans anyways. Perhaps I'm wrong.

Anyways, I have a number of routes that I believe the Mets can go during this most pivotal of offseasons for their beleaguered GM Omar Minaya. Let’s start with one of the team’s veteran leaders, the leader of a team that has failed to deliver in the clutch during the past two seasons: Carlos Delgado.

As much respect as I have for Delgado for essentially carrying this team on his back for the better part of the second half, I can’t help but to assume that he has a prominent influence over the mood in the Mets’ clubhouse.

As a leader of a ballclub that seems to get skittish during important games and high-pressure situations in particular, Delgado deserves a strong brunt of the blame. In order for this “collapse” to never happen again, it seems inevitable that the leader of this experience must be shopped. Besides, Carlos will be 37 next year, and God knows if he can light it up again like he did this summer. 

So here’s proposal No. 1: Carlos Delgado, Fernando Martinez, Nick Evans, and a low-level prospect for Red Sox IF Kevin Youkilis.

Boston fans might think I’m nuts, but Martinez is arguably the cream of our crop, Delgado may prove to be a solid DH, and Evans can be a very solid fourth outfielder.

I like Kevin Youkilis for a variety of reasons: 1) He’s a fantastic hitter, who thrives in the clutch. 2) He destroys the Yankees. 3) He’s a capable first baseman, defensively. 4) He brings a passion, fire, and resolve to the ballpark on a daily basis, and has a winning attitude reminiscent of another Cincinnatian by the name of Paul O’Neill. 5) He’ll be 29 on opening day and is seven years younger than Delgado.

Who knows...Theo might take the bait. But I think it’s a worthwhile sacrifice for the Mets.

Proposal No. 2: Go after Milton Bradley as your left fielder.

We all know that Milton’s a little nuts. He’s had some emotional and psychological problems in the past. But hey, with Jerry Manuel’s low-key, Gandhi-infused approach, maybe Milton can be controlled. Because the stats don’t lie: Milton Bradley is one of baseball’s most underrated hitters and has improved each of his last four seasons.

This season, he was an All-Star, who hit .321 with 22 and 77, and sported a .436 OBP. He also has a nice arm in the outfield and should fill in nicely as a sixth hitter.

I really think Omar should consider this, and I just hope for the sake of Milton and Met fans that he starts off strong, because the Mets' fans will get on him if he doesn’t, and we all can figure out how he’ll react to that.

In terms of starters, proposal No. 3 is dependent on Oliver Perez. If we re-sign Ollie, I say make Jon Garland a priority. He would be a very solid middle-of-the-rotation right-hander, giving us a staff of Santana, Pelfrey, Perez, Garland, and possibly Niese.

If we don’t, I recommend going after Derek Lowe, quite diligently. Lowe has been one of the N.L.’s best during the second half, and his price-tag may shoot up even further, pending a strong performance in the playoffs.

Lowe might prove to be a valuable No. 2 and the type of stability the Mets need if Ollie jumps ship. But I really think that either Garland and/or Lowe should be considered by Omar this offseason. They’re both champions and would bring a winning attitude to the rotation.

The fourth proposal involves our horrendous bullpen and its biggest scapegoat: Aaron Heilman. Now, this is unfortunate because Aaron is one of the gentlemen on this club. I really do feel for him and wish he could regain his '06 form.

Unfortunately, I just don’t see that happening. But I do know that Oakland has coveted Mr. Heilman in the past. Why not consider Aaron Heilman and a mid-level prospect for Houston Street?

The UT product struggled this season, but he has shown flashes of greatness in his brief career. Plus, he’s only 25 and hasn’t even hit his prime yet. Street would be a fantastic candidate to set-up K-Rod (You had to have known he was gonna be in this discussion...)

A final proposal would have to be signing K-Rod. He is the best closer on the market, bar none, and the closer position is BY FAR this team’s most glaring need going into the offseason.

I don’t care if his fastball has “plummeted” from 98 to 94, unless Joe Nathan decides to leave Minnesota for the team he grew up supporting, K-Rod is our best bet, and we will need to throw him whatever money he desires. His stuff is still dirty, let’s face it.

We need to sign K-Rod, or memories of last year’s hideous bullpen antics will stay etched in the minds of fans and fellow players into next season. This is our most glaring need, and we need to sign him by any means possible.

These are just a few proposals that have been rolling through my head for the past 24 hours since the Mets found themselves eliminated from postseason play. I’m still shocked this day has come, as inconsistent as the bullpen and offense were.

I honestly still don’t believe that we’re worse than the Brewers and Dodgers...Maybe even the Phillies. But it appears that we are, and we’ll have to believe that going into the offseason.

At least we still got the Giants...