HOW TO FIX THE METS (REALISTICALLY)

Seems like a lot of attention is being paid to the Mets early on in this off-season, as well it should be, so this is a good time to give my two cents on them. Simply put, the Mets broke this year. They went from a team that choked the last couple of seasons away to one that was completely exposed after injuries ravaged their roster. General Manager Omar Minaya has a lot of work to do this winter, but will he have the money or guts to make it worthwhile? Early thoughts say they'll make like they're on every big free agent, but it'll just be a smoke and mirrors thing because they are more cash strapped then they let on. Realistically, I agree with this line of thinking, but let's try to think more postively. So how do they fix their ball club?

First and foremost Omar must use the same cunning tactics that landed the team Johan Santana, to try and land a co-ace in Roy Halladay. The problem is, though, there is a book on Minaya's dealings now, one that Toronto will surely be up on. They didn't trade away the good Doctor to Philly when they were offered solid prospects, so the Mets will have to pony up three or four of their best to get a deal done, but there's no doubt they should go for it. Prospects come and go, and most times bust, but Halladay is the best pitcher in baseball. This one move can single-handedly change the team's outlook for 2010. The deal will also be contingent in a probable extension for Halladay, who'd have to wave a no-trade clause to come here, which may tap out the team for any other big move.

And there's the realism part of this Mets Hot Stove prognosis. They can probably only get one big guy. Maybe that guy should be a left fielder with power? If that's the case, bring in Matt Holliday, who actually wants to play somewhere in NY. Of course, he may dry up the bank completely. With so many questions in the rotation, though, that may be a mistake.

So the balance becomes an iffy project. Lets not forget they need to also upgrade at first base and catcher. You can actually get some pop at those positions and not worry about left field as much if you add Adam LaRoche and Bengie Molina, respectively. They are sure-fire upgrades and won't break the bank. If LaRoche and Molina are tad rich, you can go with Hank Blalock and Rod Barajas to platoon with Daniel Murphy and Omir Santos or Josh Thole. Even those moves would help.

Getting back to the rotation though, what if Halladay goes elsewhere? They most likely can't/won't sign John Lackey. Well luckily you have an ace already, so signing some guys behind him won't be extremely difficult. Randy Wolf is an OK #2 or a solid #3, he should be picked up, and then you can sign Jason Marquis, who wants to play back home anyway, and is probably sleeping somewhere in Citi Field already. A rotation of Santana, Wolf, Mike Pelfrey, Marquis, and Ollie Perez or John Maine isn't that bad, better than some playoff teams in fact. Is it ideal? No, you want to strive for the best, but the best may be out of reach for the Mets this year.

Its not just a money thing either, its about reputation as well, one that Minaya and crew have tarnished over the last few years. Can it be repaired? Sure, but this team has to come together and fight and make people respect them despite their GM. The major free agents do want to come to New York, its just the Yankees they may want to play for. Therefore, when you hear guys like Marquis or Orlando Hudson want to come to the Mets, management should bend over backwards to get some goodwill into the fold, and sign those guys.

Oh yeah, sign O-Dog please, the guy is begging to make second base a happy home. There may be some takers for Luis Castillo now, like the Cubs who'll give you Milton Bradley. Hey, there's your possible left field power right there.

So to recap, here's some possibilities on how everything can fit together:

1. Get Roy Halladay and sign him to an extension. Ink Blalock and Barajas to platoon with Murphy and Santos/Thole. Trade Castillo for Bradley. Sign O-Dog.

2. Sign LaRoche, Molina, O-Dog, Wolf, and Marquis, trade for Bradley.

3. Sign Matt Holliday or John Lackey, Ink Blalock and Barajas to platoon with Murphy and Santos/Thole.

I honestly like #2 the best, as it gives the line-up and rotation some much needed face lifts, and it might be the most realistic. Or maybe Minaya will get creative and spin a deal like the one he did with Seattle and Cleveland last off season. Either way, it'll be interesting to watch.