This is how the Mets keep fans around and the Wilpons get away with not making organizational changes.  Just think of all the things that happened last night:  the team overcame a so-so starting effort with offense, rallied back, and actually WON a game they had trailed after the 7th inning (on a hit from Luis Castillo, no less).  Games like this are what make ownership believe that they've done the right things in putting this team together AND that they can continue to market it to the fan base.

I'm going to go out on a limb though and say that games like the one against the Marlins last night are exactly what's wrong with this team.  There aren't enough games like this, but by showing up with the effort every so often, the team manages to maintain a spark.  And that's what is being sold to fans after every disappointing season.  I think it's become a foregone conclusion that major changes need to occur this off season, but that's what a lot of people thought last year too, regardless of the injuries.  And through it all, I'd like to know where the Wilpons are.  I have this mental image of Fred and Jeff locking themselves in a room and refusing contact with the outside world - not to come up with any sort of cohesive battle plan, but to avoid being held responsible for the decisions they've made and the things they've said over the past few years.

With rumors going around that the Mets are looking to cut payroll once again next season, I'm unsure of where the off season will take us.  When your team isn't producing, you can't label guys as untouchables.  As a fan, I'm somewhat irrationally emotionally attached to certain players - but this is why I'm not a GM.  At the same time, even I realize that the team simply can not look the same next year.  The Mets need to entertain any and all trade talks this year.  I know that the young guys are cheaper and that money is a concern with this team, but something's gotta give.  And most importantly, I want to play with a full 25-man roster again.  It's time to cut Oliver Perez loose, work something out with Luis Castillo and move on.  Find a manager and GM who can fill and manage the roster effectively (honestly - three catchers on a roster already one spot short because of Perez?  Come on).  Jeff Francoeur will most likely be non-tendered.  Maybe the team can get out of Frankie Rodriguez's contract.  There's still plenty of time to show case the younger guys with September call ups around the corner.  Add in a few breaks, and all of a sudden things look just a bit brighter.  Unfortunately, that's all easier said than done.  Especially since it's not my money.

Justin “Tito” Dellow is the Founder/Editor of the fantasy baseball website, Fantasy 40/40. Be sure to visit his site for great fantasy insight and the ever-important music, women, and pop culture thrown in to keep you in good spirits, even if your fantasy team is garbage.

I know, I know, it’s a loaded question.  There’s not a single answer to solve the Mets’ problems and issues.  No CliffsNotes or master blueprint they can buy to turn things around and back into NL East contention.  As we’ve witnessed, the current General Manager Omar Minaya has little clue on how to fix this messy situation.  So what are the Mets missing?

Let’s take a quick peek at some of Minaya’s work.  Some players Minaya has signed who have not produced like they were paid include: Carlos Beltran, Oliver Perez, Luis Castillo and Alex Cora. Combined salary for 2011: $39.5 millon.

In addition, there are these players as well: Ty Wigginton 2-yr/$6 million, Felipe Lopez 1-yr/$1.2 million, Scott Podsednik 1-yr/$1.75 million, Jon Garland 1-yr/$4.7 million.  All these players were available this off-season.  Their combined salary for 2011: $10.65 million.  Hands downs, better production in 2010 and at a quarter of the salary.  They could have been key additions to a team in need of offense and some depth to a bench carrying three catchers!  I’m just sayin’.

Think about it.  Wigginton for Hessman.  Lopez for Castillo.  Podsednik for Francouer.  Garland for Perez.  So.  Much.  Better.

The Madoff conspiracy has brought a financial cloudiness to the Mets and their ownership.  Management has reassured fans that spending was not affected and signing free agents will not be an issue.  But can we really be sure?

In an article for the NY Times, owner Fred Wilpon “would say only that his Madoff-related investment losses were ‘significantly’ below $700 million.”  Anyone losing that kind of money has to limit or watch their spending, right?

None of this is even what I am trying to get at.

The real purpose of this post was hatched after watching these 2010 Mets and comparing them to the 2006-‘07 team.  There is something missing.

In 2010, it’s not the bullpen.  The bullpen, frankly, has done an adequate, if not above-average job and has been pretty quiet this season – except for the Frankie Rodriguez incident.  Feliciano, Takahashi, Parnell, Acosta, Dessens and Igarashi – misused perhaps, but could be better with some consistency from the starters.  Overall, their ERA this is season is 3.67, good for tenth in MLB.

Starters?  Not this season.  With the disappearing acts of John Maine and the aforementioned Oliver Perez, the Mets have seen progress from young starters Mike Pelfrey and Jon Niese.  Pelfrey had about as good a first half as anyone not named Ubaldo.  Niese has added a cutter and matured into a solid number three starter.  RA Dickey has been a savior and a breath of fresh air with his menacing knuckleball and fierce competitiveness.  And Johan Santana, although not the Cy Young-type hurler he was back in Minnesota, has pitched like an ace should down the stretch-run, posting a 2.90 ERA on the season.  In the off-season, they can sign a couple veterans to compete with some younger guys for the fifth spot.  Overall, the pitching staff ranks fifth in the NL and seventh in MLB with a 3.65 ERA this season.

So that brings us to the offense.  Anemic and inconsistent.  These are the Mets’ rankings for total runs scored in a season:

7^th with 834 in ’06

10^th with 804 in ’07

8^th with 799 in ‘08

25^th with 671 in’09

24^th with 486 so far this season

Notice anything?

As the current roster stands, the Mets have an above-average lineup on paper: (5) current of former All-Stars (surprisingly, Luis Castillo does have an All-Star appearance).  They have arguably one of the best leadoff men in baseball.  They also have high-priced bats in Wright, Beltran and Bay (Beltran and Bay have been non-existent).

But what’s missing?  What’s different from that magical ’06-’07 season?  Two words: Carlos. Delgado.

In 2006, the Mets’ slugging first baseman hit .265 with 38 HR with 114 RBI and 89 RUNS scored.

He batted cleanup and hit between switch-hitting Carlos Beltran and right-handed David Wright – carrying the team in stretches.  This allowed Beltran to see fastball after fastball batting third, producing his best season as a Met - hitting .275 - 41 HR - 116 RBI - 127 R and 18 SB.  Meanwhile, David Wright was allowed to bat fifth and share the weight and pressure of carrying a team.

Now, I am not saying Carlos Delgado should be brought back.  Not at all.  But, a power-hitting, left-handed, first baseman is what I am looking for.  A homerun threat every time up.  A guy who can carry a team in August and September.

The Mets have brought up Ike Davis, a nice player they hope will develop into a solid first baseman.  Unfortunately, he’s not going to be enough.  The answer?  Prince Fielder.

Fielder would bring a calming presence and a consistent, everyday bat.  Players to play first base for the Mets, other than Carlos Delgado, since 2006: Julio Franco, Shawn Green, Eli Marrero, Xavier Nady, Michael Tucker, Jose Valentin, Jeff Conine, Marlon Anderson, Damion Easley, Fernando Tatis, Nicj Evans, Andy Phillips, Daniel Murphy, Jeremy Reed, Mike Jacobs, Ike Davis, Alex Cora and Mike Hessman.

Prince Fielder is going to be a free agent after the 2010-2011 season.  He is a Scott Boras client.  He will make an absurd amount of money on his next contract.  The Brewers have to move him.  Could the Mets offer enough to obtain the hefty lefty?

Let’s try.  I’d start the talks with Ike Davis.  I am sorry Mets’ fans, I like him too, but when you have the chance to land a proven 40 HR guy, you roll the dice.  With Milwaukee’s lack of pitching, one would expect a top-notch pitching prospect in the deal.  Maybe Jenrry Mejia, Brad Holt or Jeurys Familia.  All three are considered prospects and should warrant interest.  Throw in one or two, middle-of-the-road minor leaguers with upside and a deal may be possible.  This may seem too low, too much or just right, but either way, Fielder would still have to sign an extension. This would possibly limit the trade return to a lesser package, a la the Johan Santana.

Fielder, who will turn 27 next season, would provide that late inning threat that managers have to plan around, that pitchers fear.  He has 50 HR potential and can anchor any lineup, batting cleanup and adding stability, possibly splitting up Wright and Beltran or Bay and Wright.  As for the financials, those players mentioned above (Beltran, Perez, Castillo) and their $37 million will come off the books after next season, allowing for the trade and extension.

Some Mets’ fans will ask for Adrian Gonzalez – “he’s the better fielder, he’s the better hitter, he’s cheaper…”  But his situaition is entirely different due to his ridiculously affordable contract and would require more in return.  Plus, who knows if San Diego will actually trade the guy, they are contenders you know.

Furthermore, Fielder seems like the better fit.  Remember the city they play in, the type of heat players take and the type of personalities that succeed in New York.  He’s the heart of that Brewer team, although the media portrays Ryan Braun as their leader.  Fielder, from all accounts, is a great clubhouse guy with enough desire and fire to win for an entire team, something the Mets are in desperate need of.

1. S Reyes SS

2. S Pagan RF

3. R Wright 3B

4. L Fielder 1B

5. S Beltran CF (for a year)

6. R Bay LF

7. L/R Thole/Santos C

8. R/L Tejada/SOMEONE NOT NAMED LUIS 2B