High, Buy Low and Other Unlikely Strategies

Hot Stove has arrived and speculation runs rampant as usual. As Mets fans, we have little else to think about or cheer. So, how do Jeff and Omar set forth to right the ship? Let me throw my two cents worth in the pot... Firstly, 2009 was an aberration and will not likely ever happen again. Now to the more practical observations... I have serious doubts about a few of our pitching mainstays (Perez, Maine and Pelfrey). I see some real nice potential from a handful of young players (Murphy, Pagan, Thole as well as Francoeur and Wright). I worry about nagging injuries (Beltran and Reyes). And what happened to our defense? There's quite a bit of talk of unloading Luis Castillo's contract for another problem contract. Not a bad idea because he did have a terrific year and stayed healthy. Sell high. Outside of the dropped pop-up in The Bronx, he was very, very good. In fact, other than a loss of some range and a middling arm at 2B, he was the Castillo of old at the dish. That...