My Mets Christmas List to Santa

Hey Big Guy,

It's me, The Lone Met Fan. I'll start by saying that I've been pretty good this year. And everything else that may fall under the "bad" list, (like what I said when the Mets lost Game 7) please chalk up to temporary insantity. Oh, and please ignore the "pranks" pulled on my BFF the Cardinal fan.....he got his Christmas present allready. Anyway, enough sucking up, I know you are WAY TO SMART AND BRILLIANT to fall for any of that nonsense. Let's start off with the pitching staff OK? First and foremost, if you can't find it in your heart to heal Petey in time for spring training, let's go ahead and get Glavine back. I know he's 41 but he has nerves of steel and can be a big help to the youngsters Maine and Perez. While we're on Glavine, do you think you could drop by his house on Christmas Eve and sprinkle some "I will not give the lead back my team just gave me in the very next inning" dust on him while he sleeps? Thanks.

Secondly, I wish for Barry Zito for our rotation. Reuniting him with Rick Peterson will get him back to his Cy stuff + the fact that he should own the first half of the season pitching in a new league.

Thirdly, go ahead and have Minaya make the trade for Dontrelle Willis. Let them have Heilman and Milledge. Get him with Peterson and LOOK OUT NL!!

Ok, let's review so far.....1. Zito
2. Willis
3. Glavine
4. El Duque
5. Maine Not a bad starting rotation. If any struggle, we can call up Perez, Soler, Pelfry, or Humber, because I know you will take care of getting them ready at the AAA level. Then by the All-Star break, Petey can work his way back in and we can go to a 6 man rotation since we will have an insurmountable lead by the break again.

One more thing on pitching before I continue please........
I beg, beg, beg, beg, beg, beg, BEG you, please let game 3 be the last we EVER see of Trachsel in a Met uniform!!

Position Players

If Floyd refuses achilles replacement surgery, it's fine to let him sign with an AL club to DH. I have alot of love for Cliffy and wish him continued success. (but remember!! NOT at the expense of my Mets. So no Floyd playing for the Twins and hits a game winning granny against us in '07 series, K?)
So that leaves us with a hole in left field. Since we traded Milledge for Willis, we can't plug him in there. Well, that's where Carlos Lee comes in. We need right handed power and he plays a decent defense and will fit nicely in the lineup between Delgado and Wright.

Go ahead and let Green stay in right field, but could you please put a ball cap that fits his head under his tree please?

That leaves us with 2nd base to fill. If we have to make due with Valentin, so be it. But if that's the case, please remember that he will be 37 (42?) actually, who knows his age?? But, he will be one year older and will probably not play 140 games again. So, instead of bringing us the head case that is Alfonso Soriano, would you put a bat with some hits in it under Anderson Hernandez' tree? Great defensive back up, but couldn't hit Madonna's hole if he was aiming for it.

Here's what I would like to see opening day:

1. SS Jose Reyes
2. C Paul Lo Ducca
3. CF Carlos Beltran (a little "hit at home" juice would be good for him by the way)
4. 1B Carlos Delgado
5. RF Carlos Lee ( a little redundant on the Carlos' here, but just go with it)
6. 3B David Wright
7. LF Shawn Green (remember the cap please)
8. 2B Jose Valentin

With Endy Chavez, Pops Franco and Chris Woodward on the bench, this lineup will be just fine. Enough contact at the top to get on base, and enough power to bring them home. Even a little pop in the lower half of the lineup!!

Please keep Sanchez healthy, and take away Mota's ability to shake off pitches and our pen dominates again. A little less greed from Darren Oliver so we can re-sign him would be nice to, but I know I have asked for a lot allready.

There you have it Santa, my Christmas list. If you supply these things, I will NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, ASK FOR ANYTHING AGAIN!!!!

Until next year's off season that is...

Thank you very much and Safe and Happy flying this Christmas Eve,

The Lone Met Fan.

PS If you could find it in your heart to see that the Cardinals go 0-162 next year and give Poop-Holes a debilitating case of herpes, that would be swell too. Thanks again.