Mets Amazings Have Much To Do Before They Open Citi Field

Next April, the New York Mets will move into their new home and start a new chapter to their history.  Shea may have only had about 40 years of history in it, but to Met fans these days, that's enough.

The Mets have a lot of problems that they need to fix, and they have to do it in all different ways.  There are a lot of big time free agents out there, and most of them the Metropolitans can use, but is it worth it?

First off the Mets have to fix the bullpen, they need new arms in the pen, for the the teams sake and the fans. 

They need to let Heilman, Schoeneweis and Sanchez go.  The only guys who should be welcomed back are Joe Smith, Pedro Feliciano and Bobby Parnell.  The rest they would have to try to sign or trade for. 

The big free agent relief pitcher is Fransisco Rodriguez, and while he had a huge year for a relief pitcher, he is slowly on a decline.  His pitches have all lost velocity in the past couple of years.

The two guys the Mets should go for are Dan Wheeler and Brian Fuentes.  Two strong proven arms who would come a lot cheaper then K-Rod and maybe even fit this team better. 

Next thing the Mets have to do, and it is a very hard thing to do, is sign and trade Carlos Delgado.  I understand he had a great second half of the year, and that he is a big time leader in the clubhouse, however, we have seen him at his worst, and he is getting older, so the Mets can't just hope he will continue to revive his career and have a solid year. The Core must be changed and he is the one that has to take the hit.  The Mets should use Daniel Murphy here, and have Nick Evans help out every once in awhile.

So if Murphy is over at first base, that would leave Second Base and Left Field still open. 

To me second base is simple, sign Orlando Hudson, he gives you stats, energy and leadership in the clubhouse.  He would also fit well in the two-hole behind Jose Reyes, and that frees Reyes up to be a better player.

In Left Field, the big free agent is obviously Manny Ramirez, though I would stay far away from a guy who plays for himself and would be a help to the team only if he wants to be.  I would look for maybe a temporary solution.  Try to bring in a guy like Raul Ibanez.  He is older, but he is one of those veterans that could help the Mets act like professionals. With Reyes, Beltran and Wright, the Mets don't need a star, they need a guy that will do what he must do, and Ibanez is that.

Starting pitching is a big key for the Mets, and this is where I make my splash again if I'm the Amazings.  I would go hard after C.C. Sabathia to replace Oliver Perez and I would let Pedro Martinez walk.

If your top three going into 2009 are Santana, Pelfrey and Sabathia, you already are the favorites.  Then Back those three up with Maine and the rookie Niese, and you have a chance at the top rotation in baseball. 

You can try and upgrade catcher and right field, but not much more out there, so would have to get very creative, maybe if sign and trade Delgado, can add church and get a Right Fielder that could help this team.  Eric Byrnes if healthy would be a great add to this team, has the grit and toughness that would help all year and especially in September.