New York Mets: What They Can Do in 2012 to Win the World Series by 2015

After the departure of Jose Reyes to the Miami Marlins, the New York Mets find themselves in the beginning of a rebuilding process with all sights set on the future.

The Mets were overloaded with bad contracts and unfulfilled expectations and the process to undo some of those mistake began last season with the trades of Francisco Rodriguez and Carlos Beltran.

But there is still much work to be done in New York and Alderson must make the right moves to position this team to compete down the road.

Here are the moves he needs to make to accomplish just that and what the Mets could look like if their GM does what's necessary.

Trade Jason Bay

Trading Jason Bay will be the most difficult thing for the Mets to do but nevertheless, it must be done.

With New York bringing in the fences at Citi Field, that should help them boost their offensive production a little bit, giving a guy like Bay better conditions to hit in his home park.

Don't forget that as a member of the Boston Red Sox, Bay hit 36 home runs and 119 RBI in Fenway Park, while batting just .267 in his one full season. Still, even with that average, the Mets would be more than be pleased by those stats.

It isn't impossible that Bay will take advantage of his new, smaller surroundings at home and have himself a much better season. He doesn't need to be MVP material, but as long as Bay can prove he can help another team's lineup, he instantly becomes valuable.

The Mets could move him for a decent return in talent and maybe even cut up to half his salary from their books. If they can find a team willing to take all of it, it would greatly help their payroll situation immediately. 

He has a player option for 2014, so the latest Bay's contract will come off the Mets' books will be in 2015.

Trade Johan Santana

It's goes without saying that the entire value of Johan Santana in a trade is based on two things: if he can stay healthy, and if he is at least effective enough to go about six innings per game.

Anything less than those two factors and he won't be worth squat.

But let's just say he's healthy for the first half of the season and makes all of his starts. Santana could win some games and pitch to a solid ERA, making him definite trade bait.

What aids the Mets in this situation is that the entire league is salivating for consistent pitching.

Although Santana's price is high, he could greatly help a team when he's on the field and if you're the Mets, paying half his salary or less is better than keeping him on the books for the next two seasons and losing anyway.

He could garner a nice return of prospects and talent that is a few years away from making an impact in New York.

Besides, I know another team in New York that has a ton of money and wants pitching badly. They have some good prospects as well.

Trade David Wright

It's considered blasphemy in the Mets' bible, but I think they should trade David Wright.

His last three seasons have been very up and down, including last year, when he only played 102 games. Ever since the inception of Citi Field, he just doesn't seem to be the same.

Wright should benefit from the shorter distance to the wall at his home field, so the Mets will be best served waiting the first half of the season to make a move.

If Wright can put up big numbers in the first half, he has the type of future that could get serious prospects in return. Teams will give up a lot of young talent that could help the Mets not too long down the road.

He'll be 29-years-old at the start of the 2012 season, but by the time the Mets compete for a World Series, Wright will be in his early 30's without as much time to be a major contributor as he could've been.

The Mets have a club option for him in 2013 and with a possible free-agent status in 2014, the Mets should have learned from their situation with Jose Reyes when to let go.

They can't come out of this one empty-handed also.

Keep Mike Pelfrey, Build Value and Trade Him

With zero expectations going into 2012, Mike Pelfrey has nothing to lose besides adding to number of times he's been booed off the field by Mets fans.

Still, the Mets should just keep him as they might have problems piecing together their rotation and eating innings this season. Not to mention, you might just get a spark out of him and if he can sniff just a little success, he could become more trade bait.

Pelfrey always had the potential to be a front-end of the rotation guy, although that's clearly never panned out. But at this point, he could become a middle of the rotation guy and pick up value in a weak pitching market.

The Mets could get back some more young talent, building on a mountain of prospects and depth that the organization hasn't seen in quite some time.

No Long-Term Contracts

The Mets are pretty cash-strapped already having reportedly lost $70 million in 2011. They won't be making any big signings and will look to keep the payroll down.

So it fits in perfectly with what the Mets need to do: just piece together the roster for now and set yourself up for a 2014-15 run by being players when that time comes.

It might be a painful thing for Mets fans to swallow for the next two seasons, but it's a necessary part of building long-term success.

The Next Step

As I mentioned before, this process will be a two-year, long and grueling process but it must be done. There are tough decisions that need to be made if the Mets want to recover and not just slap a bandage on a deep wound.

Worst-case scenario, Jason Bay's contract will be the only big money on the Mets payroll by 2015, barring they can't move any part of him or his enormous contract. That is also dependent upon the Mets not making any big moves the next two seasons which isn't likely.

It's looking like a healthy free-agent market for both 2014 and 2015 which will bode well for the Mets who will have money to spend.

Here's a look at the future markets and who New York might bring in to compete for a World Series

2014 Free-Agent Market

Here is a list of the best possible free agents for 2014, not taking into account unforeseen events such as contract extensions, injuries, etc.

2014 Free Agent Position Players                                             2014 Free Agent Pitchers

Kendrys Morales              Mark Reynolds                                       Wandy Rogriguez      

Hunter Pence                 Adam Jones                                           Jair Jurrjens 

Adam Lind                     Chase Utley                                           Adam Wainright 

Martin Prado                  Nelson Cruz                                           Matt Garza

Brian McCann                Evan Longoria                                         Tim Lincecum

Corey Hart                     Joey Votto                                              Brian Wilson

Asdrubal Cabrera           Kevin Youkilis                                          James Shields 

Brian Roberts                Jacoby Ellsbury                                       Joaquin Benoit

Jhonny Peralta              Justin Morneau                                        Gavin Floyd

Paul Konerko                Robinson Cano                                        Rafael Soriano

Curtis Granderson

2015 Free-Agent Market

Here is a list of the best possible free agents for 2014, not taking into account unforeseen events such as contract extensions, injuries, etc.

2015 Free Agent Position Players                              2015 Free Agent Pitchers

Jose Bautista                                                              Yovani Gallardo       

Rickie Weeks                                                              Justin Verlander    

Miguel Montero                                                            Felix Hernandez       

Pablo Sandoval                                                            Roy Halladay           

Nick Markakis                                                              Aroldis Chapman

Elvis Andrus                                                                Johnny Cueto

Victor Martinez                                                            Jon Lester 

                                                                                  Joakim Soria 

Possible Roster by 2015

By 2015, the Mets should have reloaded with plenty of free-agent help, as well as getting a hand from some of their homegrown talent. Here is a little taste of what the Mets could possibly look like:

Starting Rotation                                   Opening Day Lineup

1. Felix Hernandez                                  1. Elvis Andrus-SS              

2. Zack Wheeler                                      2. Ruben Tejada-2B 

3. Matt Garza                                          3. Evan Longoria-3B

4. Matt Harvey                                         4. Nelson Cruz-RF

5. Jeurys Familia                                     5. Ike Davis-1B

                                                              6. Miguel Montero-C

Bullpen                                                  7. Lucas Duda-LF

Joakim Soria-Closer                                 8. Vernon Wells-CF

Joaquin Benoit-Setup                               9. Felix Hernandez-SP

Predictions for Mets in 2014-15

In 2014, the Mets will begin signing players to fill some holes and should show a vast improvement. They will certainly finish above .500 and make a playoff push with a great opportunity to be players in the 2014 MLB postseason.

By 2015, the Mets will be major contenders for a World Series. Whatever issues the team has by that year, they will fill with money out of their pocket and complete their ballclub. Along with the full development of some of their homegrown players, the Mets will return to glory and their first World Series in 15 seasons.

No matter how you slice it, give or take a year, if the Mets follow these steps and stick to a long-term vision, they will be an elite team for years to come and a force in the MLB by 2015.