Everyone seems to have 3-6 teams after them, and the Mets dont have the payroll flexability to get into bidding wars on one player.

Maybe Jon Garland will fall in Minaya’s lap, who knows…

AND then you’re asking him to change positions for you as well…

I just don’t see it happening.

I would go KROD, Cruz, and Cordero, but as far as everything else, looks good to me!!

And speaking of Maine, there’s cause for real concern — even if he is healthy — his ERA the past 3 years has risen from 3.60 to 3.91 to 4.18, so what’s next, 4.5?

I will go out on a limb and say that if he gets his injury (knee?) taken care of and is healthy, and preps over the winter to start (and in ST), he can easily put up comparable or better numbers to Garland (wildcard being innings total). And if he doesn’t do it in NY, he will probably do it on another team.

Also saves about 10 million in payroll next year.

I understand being reluctant to give a rookie like Neise a rotation spot to start the year, but for all the angst he generates among the fan base, AH is no rookie and has the “stuff” to be a starter. Plus he is a big, storng guy and was a starter for eyars, so he certainly should be able to ahndle the load.

Beyond that, Get K Rod and Cruz or Affeldt, and a flyer on Cordero, and the pen will be solidified for nothing but cash.

ANd notice, this leaves all the prospects around to use or trade. And I would look into the Sox deals for Dye and/or Vazquez, since they could both fill needs and not lock into long term deals.

Add: K rod, Affeldt/Cruz, Cordero (or another B list pen guy) Dye and Vazquez.

Delete: Castillo 9any way possible!), Shoe, Feliciano, Heilmann (from the pen).

Murphy at 2B (hope and pray).

These changes, which cost money but other than K rod at 26 YO don’t have any long term commitments, IMO fill the gaping holes from last year, and won’t cost a ton of prospects.

Rest of the roster filled out from internal guys, or minor trades/FA agent signings.

While Pelfrey did look good the 2nd half of last year, I would want him Slotted as our #2 starter. I’d rather have someone who has done it for a few years there. That’s all i’m saying. I think pelfrey will take another big step forward this year and have a way bigger W-L record and be one of our best pitchers.

Also TRS, 4 for 60 is a lot more then 2 for 22, but year by year it’s only 4 million. Plus if you back load it you can have Lowe at the same price year one. I’d much rather have Derek Lowe then Vasquez. Vasquez is also a guy who has one winning season over the last 5, while Jon Garland has one losing season in the last 8 years and Derek Lowe has had 2 losing seasons since 2002 when he became a starter.

Sorry I’d much rather spend on Lowe and Garland and have Vasquez as my fall back. Now if i could only have one of those 3, based on possible salary’s and everything, give me garland. The guy just wins. He’s nothing fancy, just 32+ starts, 190+ innings and 12+ wins. Every year.