I’m with you on the bat … but I am going on the premise that we wont be able to increase payroll and might even have to decrease it.

I just think that adding some bonified gamers to the rotation like Lackey and Marquis will be more of an upgrade than adding a decent bat in place of a Fernando platoon.

Bay may be an option worth looking into, but I fear his power numbers would go the way of David Wright’s power numbers at Citi Field. Bay may suddenly become a .240/15 guy … not quite the upgrade we want.

Creative trades may work, but my gut tells me the timing for that is the AS break in 2010, as more of our prospects begin to pan out and move up a level. Right now, we have a number of viable prospects but they are still to green to hold value in trades.

The problem is, the Mets seem intent on keeping Omar, at least in some capacitiy. So, the changes in the FO will take longer to implement.

That, however, does not change the fact that they really need to clear cut the entire coahcing staff and start fresh. And since most of the key FO players (jeffy, omar, Ricco) will likely be around in some capacity, why wait?

By next tuesday at the latest they should have everything lined up to ax them all (jerry on down), and start lookiing for the new manager, before going after any coaches (unless, of course, someone like Duncan can be snagged. Hard to imagine any manager having a problem with that !)

The Indians already notified Wedge and the entire staff that they won’t be back. No sure why they didn’t wait until the season was over, but at least they are being procative!

Look, I don’t blame Omar Minaya near the level most fans do, moves are basically a coin flip and it is easy to judge everyone of them in hindsight. The fact is though, he lost complete control of the ship, he let an underling create the opportunity for drama, waffled about it, and then blamed a reporter. It was irrelevant whether the Bernazard story was part fiction, he and Minaya allowed it to become a story. Moreover, Minaya had a plan and here it is 5 years later and that plan has collapsed.

That is why he should be fired, not endless second guessing, the plan failed. I was not enamored with the idea of Manuel and coaches hanging on last year when Randolph was fired, but they nearly turned an impossible task without a bullpen, but at this point injuries not withstanding it is time to clear house and begin again.

With that being said, the manager, coaches, and front office all need to be overhauled. The apathy and bufoonery have trickled from the top on down and infected the club.

i don’t know if Thole will be up here next year at least at the start, I’d probably sign a veteran catcher to platoon with Santos and see how Thole does in AAA for a few months

I also like the idea of Marquis as the number 3, Lackey as the number two? I prefer Pelfrey and Maine over Ollie but we are paying Ollie 12 M so what to do with him.

So …

Reyes SS
Murphy 2B
Johnson 1B
Wright 3B
Beltran CF
Franceour RF
F. Martinez / Xavier Nady LF
Thole / Santos C

Bench: Pagan (OF), Tatis (1B/3B/OF)

Rotation: Santana, Lackey, Marquis, Pelf, Maine

As a GM, my first move would be to try and stock the rotation. I don’t think guys like Maine, Pelfrey or Perez belong anywhere in my top 3 slots … they just haven’t proven anything yet.

I would look into Jason Marquis, who I believe would be well suited for NY and a pitcher’s park. He did pretty well last year in Coors. In addition to Marquis, I would look to bring in a legit #2 starter like a John Lackey.

So money would be spent on the rotation, and going into next year it would be Santana, Lackey, Marquis, Pelfrey, and Maine with Neise in the wings.

As for position players, I am not really interested in seeing Beltran, Reyes or Wright moved. They are young, marketable and productive, and all three of them hit far better than the average player at their respective position (not to mention that all 3 of them run a lot better than most Major Leaguers as well).

That leaves me with C, 1B, LF, RF and 2B. Franceour seems to be working out with the Mets, and he doesn’t cost a boatload. He’s also healthy, and I think he would make a nice #6 or #7 batter in your lineup given his RBI potential. His defense is decent, his arm is plus. Did I mention he stays healthy? :)

At the catcher slot, I am more than content to go into 2010 with Thole and Santos in a platoon role. Santos is well-rounded as a role playing catcher, and Thole has solid plate discipline skills and may be a sleeper of a hitter.

As for LF, I don’t think the Mets have much of a chance to sign Holliday, given the budget issues and the fact that he probably wont want to come here (especially with Citi Field being a terrible hitters park and Boras being his agent). I basically cross Holliday off my list. Instead, I would look to giving Fernando Martinez a real shot in LF, and compliment him with a proven, veteran, right-handed stick in LF that can either be a 4th outfielder, a platoon-mate for Fernando or an every day guy if things do not work out for Fernando in 2010. Someone like an Austin Kearns (solid Ops and OBP numbers) or Xavier Nady type player.

Luis Castillo is a tougher one. We’re stuck paying the guy 12MM over the next 2 seasons, so it’s tough to envision a scenario where it makes sense to make a move with him. I just don’t see the market being there, unless you are swapping bad contract for bad contract. His defense isn’t what it used to be, and we seem to have too many guys who slap hit in our lineup already – thing is, not many 2B options can hit, and I don’t think I am open to the idea of starting the Dan Uggla era …

I would love to see if Daniel Murphy can play second base. I think his offense goes from disappointing to inspiring with that switch, and I do think the kid would work his tail off to get where he needs to be defensively. It’s not like a guy like Castillo is setting the world on fire.