The arrival of Roy Halladay in Philly makes the chances of a Mets' successful season decline dramatically. (PHOTO BY ICON SMI)

BY MICHAEL GANCI
EDITOR

Well, as I write this, I am still a bit shell-shocked from today’s developments, so let me back up a bit and confirm what I think should be processing in my head.

The Red Sox are close to signing John Lackey to a five year deal worth around $85 million. I have no problem with that. Anything that puts a frown on Yankee fans’ faces puts a smile on mine. I think that is a secret to nobody.

Then, the real drama as it pertains to the Mets happened. The Phillies approached Cliff Lee about a contract extension, and he effectively told them that he was going to become a free agent, whether they liked it or not. The Phillies decided that they need to prepare for the long haul, so what do they do? They feel around for offers, and they bring the Mariners and Blue Jays together, and boom! The Phillies have agreed to deal.

Not just any deal, they are nearing completion of a deal that would get them Roy Halladay.

Yes, you heard that right. ROY HALLADAY.
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I am confused too Omar.

BY ANTHONY LAFAMAN
STACHE WRITER

I don’t know where to begin. Twitter is both a gift and a curse. I’ve read more rumors and followed more stories in the past 24 hours than I have the entire year. It’s crazy out there folks. At one point I thought the Mets had acquired Pat Burrell. In another instant I thought the Mets had a deal in place to get Halladay. Last night I checked my phone and there was a tweet saying the Mets offered Lackey a contract.

Of course none of the above came to fruition and thank god Burrell ain’t a Metropolitan but these Winter Meetings have had my head spinning.

I’d like Omar to leave these meeting with 3 things accomplished. One, trade Luis Castillo. Two, sign or acquire at least 2 pitchers. Three, finalize whatever crazy idea he seems to have for the catcher position. I think Holliday, this early in the game, is a waste of time and effort.

Boras is angling to get him in a bidding war with the Mets, Red Sox and Cardinals. And I don’t think the Cardinals are interested anymore.
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Matt Holliday wants Santa Claus to bring him a big contract. (PHOTO BY ICON SMI)

BY ANTHONY LAFAMAN
STACHE WRITER

Santa, I think I’ve been through enough this year. I don’t think I am asking for too much this off-season, in fact I will only bother you for one thing and one thing only. I’ll let Omar Minaya get the rest. But I expect you to deliver on this one request. I cannot tolerate Daniel Murphy leading the team in Home Runs. I don’t think our RBI leader should only have 76 RBI’s.

Santa, all I want for Christmas is, Matt Holliday.

It’d be nice to have a power hitting left fielder for a change. It seems like it’s been forever. I can’t even remember having a power hitting left fielder. Kevin Mitchell? Kevin McReynolds? Cleon Jones????! I seriously think that is it. So sad. Sometimes I wonder what the hell am I a Met fan for.
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The Mets are considering bringing Xavier Nady back to Queens. (PHOTO BY ICON SMI)

BY MICHAEL GANCI
EDITOR

I don’t know about you, but I am excited. Free agency has officially begun, and I expect some things that don’t have to do with Scott Boras to happen quickly, which means Omar Minaya better be working his butt of right now to get the Mets the help they need.

After watching some television before, I checked around the internet and nothing happened yet. I have this addiction to the Hot Stove. Luckily for me, it can’t kill you, because if it could, I would probably need some help.

So far, all I have heard that is relevant is that the Braves and Brewers are discussing a Corey Hart for Derek Lowe swap. It wouldn’t shock me to see a deal like this go through seeing as how the Braves have a plethora of starting pitching.
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Buster Olney has put the damper on a rumor that had Lyle Overbay going to the Mets. (PHOTO BY ICON SMI)

BY MICHAEL GANCI
EDITOR

You have to love this time of year. We are all playing General Manager, but there is only one man who can get things done. Omar Minaya has a world of pressure on his shoulders, and he knows that is going to be out of a job if this team doesn’t start winning soon. Well the rumors are circulating, and it looks like Omar has made many calls to put out feelers, and that’s exactly what he needs to do.

The first big Mets’ rumor broke mid-day yesterday when Ken Rosenthal reported that there was talk of a three-team swap between the Mets, Cubs and Blue Jays. The Jays would get Milton Bradley from the Cubs; the Cubs would get Luis Castillo from the Mets; and the Mets would acquire Lyle Overbay from the Jays. I got excited when I first heard about this potential deal.

This would pave the way for an Orlando Hudson arrival, which is a move Mets’ fans have long coveted. Unfortunately, Buster Olney has emerged to debunk such a rumor, saying neither the Cubs or Jays would do such a deal.
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Could we see Dye in our future?

BY ANTHONY LAFAMAN
STACHE WRITER

I figured we’d start with Left Field as that position seems to be where all the attention is for the 2010 New York Mets. It’s pretty obvious the main target is Matt Holliday. Just for research purposes I want to take some time to peruse the other left field options out there. Because you never know, we might not be able to afford Holliday or Bay. Maybe our money will be thrown at Lackey or get tied up in a trade? Halladay, they say, is still being dangled…..

I want Holliday. I think he plays the game the right way, he is a run producer, he hits for power and is an above average Left fielder. I have no problem with Bay and he reminds me of John Olerud in the way he carries himself. Just think Holliday as a bit more talent than him. Outside of those two the picking is slim.
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Matt Holliday would be a nice fit in Queens. (PHOTO BY ICON SMI)

BY MICHAEL GANCI
EDITOR

Two players that are going to be near the top of the Mets’ wish list this off season are Jason Bay and Matt Holliday. The Mets have a gaping hole in left field and a need for power, and one of these guys would certainly fill the void perfectly. We have seen reports that would suggest that the Mets prefer Holliday, and his performance with St. Louis (other than the big error) has done nothing to hurt his value.

Recently, we have seen both of these players voice their desire to remain where they are currently employed. Holliday has said that he greatly enjoys playing with Albert Pujols, and Pujols feels the same way about him. Jason Bay has also played the wounded dog angle. He seems nervous about testing the free agent market for the first time, and he has voiced a willingness to remain in Boston.

I think both of these guys are jockeying for position, and they are doing exactly what their agents are telling them to do. They are gaining leverage with the teams that they aren’t currently on. Smart move guys.
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How do you think Jason Bay would look in Left Field at Citi Field? (PHOTO BY ICON SMI)

BY MICHAEL GANCI
EDITOR

When time finally runs out on 2009, there is going to be a plethora of people who believe that injuries are to blame for the failures of 2009. Don’t get me wrong. It definitely contributed, but there are some things that this team needs to do to get back on track. Now I am not talking about the obvious things like getting a healthy Reyes and Beltran back, but I have devised a five-step off season plan for the Mets to get back in the game.

1) Sign Dave Duncan to replace Dan Warthen

This would be an excellent acquisition. Known as the guru of pitching, Duncan is the guy who has been known to literally fix guys in 15 minutes. The Mets have quite a few candidates of patients for Dr. Duncan to examine. First and foremost is Oliver Perez, who has been unable to get out of his own way this season. The next guy would be Mike Pelfrey, who a lot of people think has taken a step back this season. I tend to agree. I don’t see him as a number two right now, but more of a number four. Younger guys would benefit from the acquisition of Duncan too. He could work with guys like Jonathon Niese and Bobby Parnell.
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Matt Holliday could be the key for the Cardinals in making a run at another World Series Title (Courtesy of ESPN)

BY MATTHEW FALKENBURY
ASSISTANT EDITOR

Hello again and welcome to another installment of the popular “Interview with a Blogger” where we aim to get a look at the teams coming up on Mets schedule, from the people who know them best, Their Fans.

Before our mini two game series against the team that with the trade for Matt Holliday, is making a serious push towards the playoofs, The St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field, I did an Interview with Dan Moore of Viva El Birdos.

Matthew Falkenbury: Are Cardinals Fans surprised by the success that the team has had this season?

Dan Moore: Not totally surprised, although the way in which they’ve been successful was certainly surprising. Lots of players on whom the Cardinals were counting, among them Rick Ankiel, Jason Motte, Khalil Greene, and Todd Wellemeyer, have scuffled pretty badly, and if you’d told me before the season started that the four of them would basically be replacement level players I wouldn’t have been sure what the Cardinals could do to counteract. Obviously the Holliday trade is now a big part of the solution, but they’ve also been helped along by the emergence of Ryan Franklin, Brendan Ryan, and Joel Pineiro, respectively, who are basically providing exactly the value (or better, in the case of Pineiro) that we expected out of the opening day starters.

MF: What has the trade for Matt Holliday done for the team as a whole and do the fans feel like he can be re-signed?

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Omar needs to hit a Home Run at the Trade Deadline

BY MATTHEW FALKENBURY
ASSISTANT EDITOR

As July 31st gets closer and closer, the questions surrounding what exactly will Omar Minaya do come the Trade Deadline become louder and louder. With Beltran, Reyes, and Delgado still out for at least a few more weeks, the fans, including yours truly are wondering just what is the plan for this team.

If they are going to sell, what exactly can they get back in return? That answer is actually quite simple, don’t worry about it cause Freddy and Friends wont sell with a new ballpark in its Rookie Season.

Of coursethey could always stand pat and just wait out the injuries, which isn’t too bad an idea. Then again, if your like me, I have a hard time thinking that Beltran, Reyes and Delgado will come back and start hitting the cover off the ball. I have this odd reasoning that states that players coming back from injury need to readjust to Major League pitching, odd right?.

Then their is door number three, which is that Omar goes out and makes either a big move or a few small moves to try to keep the team afloat until the three musketeers or is it muscle-tears come back from their stints on the DL. With that I wanted to present to you the Top 5 players the Mets and Omar should look into acquiring at or before the Deadline to help keep our season alive.

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