by Matt Mahan

Created on: July 27, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

With the advent and popularity of Fantasy Baseball Leagues, everyone has the ability to run a Major League baseball team. Drafting and trading players has been the dream of most baseball fans since the dawn of the game. Even though it is not a real baseball team, fantasy baseball allows the average fan the ability to make the decisions as in real life. For the record, my fantasy baseball team has a horrendous record and will miss the playoffs.

If I ran the New York Mets in real life, I would make some big changes. The first change I would make is the firing of the General Manager Omar Minaya. Minaya has a substantial baseball resume including stints as a scout, Assistant General Manager, and General Manager. He is currently responsible for most of the baseball decisions regarding the players on the Mets for the last couple of years. Although some of his decisions have been successful, overall, last years historic collapse of the National League East division is can be placed on his shoulders.

Carlos Delgado would be the second move I would make. I would attempt to trade him for whatever I could get in return regardless of cost. His $13 million a year salary makes him a rather inexpensive piece to another team. His lack of leadership, declining offensive skills and prowess with the glove at first base all make him completely expendable.

Pedro Martinez and Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez would be the next out the door. The signing of these two declining stars was a mistake from the beginning as their best years are long past. Martinez long list of injuries since signing with the team have been a drain on resources and it is time to cut the cord. Hernandez's listed age is 42, but with the problems of birth certificates for players from Cuba, he is actually considered much older than that by many. Both these pitchers would be traded and if no takers, given their outright release.

Jose Reyes is a young, energetic, talented player. He would be put on the trading block for more young, athletic energetic players. His non-chalant attitude and "me first" style has no place on my team. One of the more popular players in a Mets uniform, this move would not be loved by many.

Finally, if I were running the Mets, I would ask Major League baseball to schedule two doubleheaders a year. Not the day/night type doubleheaders where you can charge twice. A doubleheader where fans can buy one ticket to see two games in one day. A fan appreciation type day. All these changes would be met with assorted levels of feedback, from the happy to the furious, but rest assured I would be doing them to put the absolute best team possible on the field.

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