1 Down, 2 1/2 to Go...

So apparently Omar Minaya is done as the Mets GM at the end of the season. Good that needs to happen before Chan-Ho Park becomes a free agent and Omar offers him a 7 year $90 million contract.

While Minaya has made many a good moves, it's the bad ones that are really beginning to pile up. Also, there have been a couple questionable contracts that I still can't quite figure out. I think it would be good to see him be put into a scouting role, so he's still out there finding new talent and being somewhat useful.

What needs to happen next for the Mets, is a new manager. I'd bet it all on black that Manuel will not come back with the team next year, but you never know. For the past 2 years now I have wanted to see Bobby Valentine come back and kick this teams ass. No one did more with less then Valentine did with the Mets in '99 and '00. They made it, ultimately, to the World Series in '00 with really not too much more than Mike Piazza and Al Leiter. Unfortunately, Valentine seems to be the kind of manager who's more hands on and needs more of a say which brings me to number 3

Mutiny!!!! Give the Wilpons some shiny keychains and get them the fuck away from the team. From everything I've read the past couple years Jeff Wilpon is a control freak that would make Elliot Reed look like a saint (Scrubs, anyone?) We need a sacrificial lamb to kidnap the Wilpons, fit them for some loose suites and a couple pairs of cement shoes and then take all the heat for the crimes ultimately going down in a ball of fire. I think Oliver Perez would do just fine...

Lastly the 1/2. I've been thinking this for a while now, but never brought it up with anyone for one reason of another. The Mets are world renowned for their "kiss of death". Any player, from any team, will come play for the Mets and then spend the rest of their days on and off the DL.
Can you predict injuries? Realistically, no. Are they preventable? Most times, yes. Sometimes shit happens. Jonathan Neises' hamstring tear last year, Ryan Churchs' and Jason Bays' concussions. Wright getting hit in the head by a pitch. Etc, etc. But other injuries aren't so freak. Reyes and Beltrans lower bodies. Santanas arm. Fernado Martinezs' entire body. John Maines and Oliver Perezs' fucked up heads. (OK, last one doesn't count) But I've been wondering do the Mets training staff need to go as well? I'm not sure how all that works, with the trainers and doctors and stuff, but if all these injuries keep happening year after year, which they have beyond just this present bunch, then shouldn't that be looked into as well?

These are just some thoughts from a hopeless Mets fan with no insider information or connections. Just access to come great blogs and newspapers. But hey, if nothing else, there's always next year!!!

(...Joe)