Finally at long last the final piece Bring back J

However, if the Mets can't part ways with Castillo, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.Everyone and their mother seems to be on board with the "dump Castillo, sign Orlando Hudson" idea, which I am on board with. The guy plays exceptional defense (four Gold Gloves in past five years), wants to come to New York, and possesses something this team lacks so badly: grit.While Hudson's fine, the Mets could go in another direction, a guy who can not only play defense, but steal bases, and fill in at the outfield positions when called upon, too: Chone Figgins. Figgins is young enough (32), where if the Mets overpaid to get him on a short-term deal, he may take it, since he'd hit the open market again at 33 or 34.Give him a one-year pact for $9M with a player option for a second year for the same money. Ultimately, despite the fact that Figgins brings much moreversatility, the Mets like Hudson a lot, and he'd come a bit cheaper. The parties will probably settle a two-year deal around $10-12M.Omir Santos is not a full-time backstop. I'd say the Mets must act quickly to find a guy who's capable of catching 100 games, but really, there's no rush. Bengie Molina is the most attractive option, but apparently he wants a long-term deal, which I'd like to see the Mets steer clear from.Molina's a nice guy, but he's slow as molasses, 35, and notgetting any younger.

I'd give the guy a one-year deal for $5-6M, but nothing more, and he'll most likely find more money and a more lengthy contract elsewhere. The Mets should save money here, and go with a cheap option, maybe a guy with a little pop.Ramon Castro reunion, anyone Plus, the Mets are grooming prospect Josh Thole to take over catching duties in 2011. And just in case, some AL MVP catcher from the twin cities becomes a free agent after the season...Agh, all the great first basemen the Mets have had over the years: Keith Hernandez, John Olerud, Carlos Delgado, Mo Vaug err, anyway, the incumbent is Daniel Murphy. Murph's proved to be solid with the leather, but his hitting was a different story, although he made strides late in the year (and led the team in homers, with 12!).Nonetheless, he could use a reduction in workload, especially against lefties, whom he hit .223 against last season Solution Simple.

Bring in the guy you've heard followed by "Mets interested in" a gazillion times over the past few yearsNick Johnson. So why invest in someone you know will get hurtWell, the dice were already being rolled on Sheets and/or Harden, so the roller's feelin' lucky. But here are three things to consider/remember: 1) If and when Johnson gets hurt, Dan Murphy is not a bad first baseman, and can hold his own if pressed 2) Johnson would come cheap, and 3) When Johnson is on the field, he's a darn fine ballplayer. Two years and $11-12M should get this done.Finally, at long last, the final piece Bring back J.J. Putz! Of course the Mets weren't picking up the option on a $9.1M set-up man, but J.J.