5 Away

As in days from signing free agents. You should also see an increase in trades this winter.

My wishlist for the NY Mets

Left Field - Matt Holliday. Easy to say. But Boras is his agent, so you never know. Most teams will be spending less so the Mets have a golden opportunity here. If we can't get Holliday, time to see what the Rays want for Carl Crawford.

First Base - I like Daniel Murphy (I even have a Murphy shirt). But he's only at 1B if we get a big-hitting left fielder and move Castillo. Omar is going to check out Delgado in winter ball, but he's gonna want a two year pact. Too rich. I would talk to the Marlins about Jorge Cantu- who becomes a free agent at the end of next season. By then we might be able to play Ike Davis.

Catcher - I hear about Molina (as in Benji), Barajas and Torrealba. Last guy is out, he ain't coming here after the last time the Mets wanted him. I might look at Pudge Rodriguez for a two year (cheap) contract. Molina will want three at least. The other route is a different Molina - Jose, who is also available. He can play in NY. Great behind the dish.

Second Base - Castillo had a really good year, but everybody wants him gone. Something about him no Mets fan likes. Trade him to the Dodgers for a couple of low minor-league pitchers and look at getting Brandon Phillips for cash-strapped Reds. Everybody says Orlando Hudson but he sat at the end of the season and the Dodgers made no attempt to sign him. He reminds me of Shawn Dunston.

Pitcher - Tough. Besides Santana we are thinner than thin. Pelfrey could be something if he ever gets over his issues. If Ollie Perez comes back and pitches 20 games in the bigs next season you might consider it a small victory. Free agent pitching is Lackey and everybody else. Give Sheets a minor league deal and hope for something. Try to get in the Halliday sweepstakes, but the real get could be Roy Oswalt. Houston will need to move him soon, so maybe a deal with them is a possibility.

Dreamin'