Kuzul

Make no mistake about it, the New York Mets have work to do this winter if they expect to compete in 2012. 

There was a time in 2011 when, despite injuries to multiple key players, the Mets exceeded expectations and allowed fans to dream about the possibilities of an epic, 1973-esque playoff run.  Guys like Justin Turner, Lucas Duda, Ruben Tejada and Daniel Murphy acted as band aids for the Mets’ wounds. 

It turns out those wounds are quite deep, and the Mets have shown just how shallow their roster is in recent weeks as they’ve played a remarkably underwhelming brand of baseball—and that’s putting it mildly.

So where do they go from here?  

Let’s take a look at five potential moves Sandy Alderson & Co. can make this offseason in order to finally change the fortune of the orange & blue in 2012. 

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Picture this scene; it’s late July, and the Mets are sitting in last place with no hope of reversing their fortunes.  In other words, it’s become yet another lost summer in Queens.

Fortunately for the Mets, patrolling Center Field is a healthy and all-star caliber slugger named Carlos Beltran.  His hefty salary has become an albatross to the Mets’ payroll, and Sandy Alderson is actively shopping him, gauging the interest level of current playoff contenders.

Who offers the best package?  What exactly would the Mets seek in return for Beltran?

Here are five possible trade scenarios that will benefit contending teams in the short term, as well as the Mets and their commitment to the future.  

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There’s no question about it; given the team’s underwhelming performance in 2010, coupled with the shake up in the front office and their on-field staff, the New York Mets are in a period of transition. 

With transition comes change, and change brings uncertainty. 

However, here are five predictions that you can be sure will come to fruition for the Mets in 2011.  

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