New York Mets

I'm 23 years old, and along with my family, friends, and a handful of great girls, sports have been one of the loves of my life. I grew up gazing in awe at a gliding Michael Jordan, wanting to mash homers like Ken Griffey Jr., and wondering why every running back couldn't reverse fields like Barry Sanders. (Of course now I realize how unique Barry was). And as I watched the superstars do their thing for other teams, I had my own personal favorites to worry about: the Mets, Jets, and Islanders. Maybe you know where this one is going...

Before you read any further, I would like to issue a disclaimer of sorts. Despite all the buzz around the Internet about Adrian Gonzalez and/or Miguel Cabrera, I don’t believe that either will be traded this offseason.

Furthermore, I would like to go out on a limb and say that even if they were to be traded, I don’t see the Mets on the receiving end of either of the potential deals.

As any Mets fan can tell you, the Amazins have several holes that need to be filled before taking the field in 2010.  A couple more starting pitchers, a first baseman, left fielder, catcher, setup man...phew.

Looking at the free agent market, most of these holes can be easily filled through signing the available players.  There's starting pitchers available such as John Lackey, Joel Pineiro, and Jason Marquis, left fielders such as Jason Bay and Matt Holliday, and catchers such as Bengie Molina and Yorvit Torrealba. 

Prior to the 2009 season, Bobby Parnell knew that he was—by no means—guaranteed to make the Opening Day roster. Nevertheless, he worked hard and pitched very well in Spring Training, which him earned a spot on the 25-man roster.

His role with the team was supposed to be the seventh inning bridge to J.J. Putz and Francisco Rodriguez , and for the first half of the year that's exactly what occurred.

As a fan, I’m a believer. For this reason, I have been stressing that Mets fans should not overreact to what has happened since the playoff run in 2006.

The Mets collapsed in September two years in a row, then in mid-June the next, but the fact of the matter is, they still retain one of the strongest and most talented cores in baseball with David Wright, Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, and Johan Santana.

I think any general manager in the league would take those four if they were starting a team.

We all know the Mets need to make changes after a  disappointing 2009 season. All idea—for change need to be considered

That is why I look at the Tigers and see a possible answer for the Mets. I believe trading Carlos Beltran for Curtis Granderson and Joel Zumaya can help this team.

The 2010 MLB free agent market has many players including many former New York Mets.  Here is an in-depth look at the fielders.  This is Part 1.  There will be a pitchers one in the near future.

Catchers

Ramon Castro—Castro was a member of the Mets from 2005 to the middle of this season when he was traded to the White Sox for Lance Broadway.  In 2007, Castro had his best year as a Met, playing in 52 games and batting .285 with 11 home runs and 31 RBIs.

The Mets top priority this season isn't left field or starting pitching. It is to bring change to the team.  The Mets need to bring in a number of new faces to bring the team a new attitude. 

I am totally against the team getting rid of the core, but I am in favor of them getting rid of some of their older aging players.  One of those is Luis Castillo, I am a big fan of Castillo and the way he plays the game of baseball, but I think it is time for him to go.