What I want to see the Mets do this off-season.

The World Series isn't even over yet, and people are already beginning to talk about how the Mets can have a successful off-season. They clearly have many needs, as first base, shortstop, and the corner outfield spots were liabilities last year. If the Mets want to re-tool and become competitive in 2014, they are going to need to start spending, and making creative trades. Here is what I think they should do.

Trade Montero, Murphy, Davis, and Gee for Tulowitzki and cash.

Colorado isn't going to just GIVE AWAY Tulowitzki, so he'll likely cost quite a bit in terms of prospects. What the 29 year old shortstop brings to the table to very obvious -- power, solid defense, and a solid presence in the lineup. He is arguably the best shortstop in the game right now, so the Mets would be getting quite a catch. 

The Rockies need pitching, so give them Rafael Montero who will be major-league ready in 2014 and projects to be a #2 or #3 starter. Also give them Dillon Gee, who proved with his 3.62 ERA in 2013 that he could be a solid starting pitcher at the back end of the rotation. Gee is arbitration eligible after the 2014 season, and is eligible for free agency in 2017. 

Also in this deal is Daniel Murphy, who the Mets probably wouldn't be thrilled to give up, but a piece like him would be required to net a player like Tulowitzki. Murphy has really come into his own over the last few seasons, and is starting to look like an every-day regular over at second base. After his strong 2013 season where he hit .286 with 188 hits in 161 games, his value is high, and the Rockies could look to immediately extend him if acquired because he only has a few years left of team control on his current deal.

Finally we have Ike Davis, who the Mets are going to probably tender a contract to this winter. Davis was horrific in 2013, hitting .205 with 9 home runs in 103 games. Davis has shown that he has a massive amount of raw power, and could thrive under the hitter-friendly dimensions of Coors Field. One thing we know for sure is: Todd Helton is retiring, and the Rockies are going to be looking for a young first-baseman.

Sign Nelson Cruz

The Rangers are likely going to let Cruz walk this winter as they acquired Alex Rios from the White Sox to replace him. Cruz is coming off a season where he hit 27 home runs in 109 games, and finished the campaign with a 50 game PED suspension. He would be a great player to bring in due to his immense power, and solid arm in the outfield. However, if he is asking for too much, the Mets could back away with no harm. 

If Cruz doesn't work out, Sign Marlon Byrd

I'm not sure if I completely buy into the whole Marlon Byrd situation, but the guy has done it in the New York spotlight, and I expect that he'd be a solid addition to this club. After his strong 2013 season where he hit .291 with 24 homers and 88 RBI, the 36 year old veteran could be in line for a multiyear deal, which is something the Mets may not want to hand out. 

Sign Jacoby Ellsbury

I'm gonna say it: I'd rather have Ellsbury than Shin-Shoo Choo. I love the fact that Ellsbury can steal 50-60 bases, and he is exactly what the Mets are looking for. The Red Sox may not want to give him up too easily, and I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up getting a contract over $100 million due to all of the bidding teams who will be chasing after him. I can see Seattle making a big push for him, but the Mets could play the role as that sleeper team, and I would be thrilled if they got him. I'm wary of the injury history, but I feel like it's a risk that the team needs to take. 

Here is what I want the team to look like next year: (excluding bench players and the bullpen)

Lineup:

1. CF Jacoby Ellsbury

2. 2B Wilmer Flores

3. 3B David Wright

4. SS Troy Tulowitzki

5. RF Nelson Cruz/Marlon Byrd

6. 1B Lucas Duda

7. C Travis d'Arnaud

8. LF Juan Lagares

9. Pitcher

Starting Rotation:

1. Zack Wheeler

2. Jonathon Niese

3. Jenrry Mejia

4. *Veteran Free Agent*

5. *Veteran Free Agent*

The Mets should NOT sign Josh Johnson

Matt Harvey will miss the entire 2014 season due to Tommy John surgery, and the Mets will likely look to sign a few innings eaters this off-season. They may chase after Josh Johnson, who will likely be of interest to many teams. Johnson, a 9 year veteran, spent his first 7 seasons with the Marlins where he posted a combined 3.15 ERA in 154 games (144 starts.) While those numbers are promising, bringing Johnson along would be quite risky. The 29 year old has an extensive injury history, and missed more than half of last season while with Toronto. In 2013, he had a 6.20 ERA in 16 starts for the Blue Jays, and was shut down in early August because of forearm tightness. He went on to undergo surgery that removed bone spurs from his elbow, and is expected to be ready for spring training.

Here is why the Mets should not be signing him: he CAN"T stay healthy. Johnson is being held together by nuts and bolts and to me he seems like a ticking time bomb. Why should the Mets sign a pitcher that would probably demand $8-10 million for a single season, a season where he would probably only make 15-20 starts if your lucky. I understand that Johnson is, apart from the 2013 season, pretty dominate when on the field, but to me the Mets need to focus on their offense, and not be spending huge amounts of money on reclamation projects in the rotation.