It’s been a dreadful 2009 season for the Mets and they are going to be happy when it’s over so they can put it behind them. There is a lot of work to be done to get this team back into playoff contention for 2010. It’s never to early to look into the upcoming offseason when talking about a team that is in the basement. Here are some move and maneuvers that could help fix the Mets and turn them into a contender in 2010.

• Replace Minaya – The Mets have said that Minaya will be in charge for at least one more year but I don’t personally believe he deserves another year. Some of his actions are reprehensible and he has made some poor baseball moves. It’s time for a change but it won’t happen because of his contract.
• Replace Manuel – Minaya and Manuel go hand-in-hand. Since I think Minaya needs to be replaced then Manuel needs to go too. He has made some head-shaking mistakes and questionable choices. He said he didn’t know Mariano Rivera was on deck. How can this guy lead a team when he doesn’t pay attention to details. Minaya is going to be here for another year and so will Manuel. The Mets really need to get rid of both guys and get a new regime in place to turn the page on the Minaya era.
• Put Jose Reyes on the trading block – Test the waters. See what can be acquired in return. Maybe the Mets can land a number two or three starter for Reyes. The shortstop free agent class isn’t strong but it would be well worth getting a guy to pitch behind Santana in exchange for Reyes. The Mets and Reyes may be better off going separate ways. The Mets could go after free agent shortstops Khalil Greene, Adam Everett, or maybe even Orlando Cabrera.
• Leave Daniel Murphy at first base – He’s young and will improve. He’s already improved in one season. Save money for other spots, don’t spend big on a first basemen. With some work, Murphy can be a formidable first basemen.
• Spend on left fielder – Make a run after Matt Holliday, Jason Bay or Carl Crawford if they are available. Crawford makes sense if the Mets get rid of Reyes. Holliday or Bay would slip nicely into the fifth spot in the lineup giving the Mets a potent 3-4-5 combination of Wright, Beltran and Holliday/Bay.
• Sign a catcher – Rod Barajas, and Bengie Molina will be free agents and Miguel Olivo has a chance to be a free agent too. The Mets need a hard-nosed catcher who has some pop in his bat. I like Barajas for the Mets.
• Finally, get these guys healthy and ready to go for spring training

Whether you agree or disagree, leave comments and tell me your thoughts on how to fix the Mets.