Mets Need to Begin Rebuilding Process

If the Mets want to rejuvinate their fan base, and provide a glimmer of hope for the future they have to conceed to the fact that prospect Fernando Martinez is not worth keeping in the minors.

The unproven talent is the last so called blue chip outfielder left in the Mets system after they traded Lastings Milledge and Carlos Gomez in February. Some feel that Martinez will be ready for 2009 when Citi Field is ready to open its doors, but even this is not good enough for a franchise that is still expected to win NOW! It's stupid to put all of that stock into a 19 or 20 year old kid, who has never seen a major league at bat.

What the Mets need to is build a team that can win not only in 2008, but in 2009 and beyond.

Here's a trade that the Mets should make...
Trade 2B Louis Castillo, RHP Aaron Heilman, OF Fernando Martinez, and throw in C Gustavo Molina for kicks to the Toronto Blue Jays for OF Alex Rios, IF David Eckstein and a reliever.

Even though Rios is having a terrible season, batting .285 with four homers and 29 RBI, he did hit 24 homers and 85 RBI last year, and is only 27 years old. He is not even in the prime of his career. Plus he would give the Mets a much needed right handed bat.

Eckstien would provide the Mets needed energy and leadership in the clubhouse. He may even get into the head of Jose Reyes and turn the troubled star around.

If the Mets want to have a winning franchise immediately and start putting behind the collapse of 2007 and the misery of 2008, this is what they should do.