OK, here's the plan

Since Omar Minaya is signing a three-year extension, we at MFC.com thought we'd help him out with a game plan for the offseason. And it's oh-so-simple.

1. Sign Manny. He's a free agent and will demand big bucks. Luckily, the Mets will be one of those teams with plenty of bucks to spend. Last season, the Mets acquired a marquee player in Johan Santana. Next season -- on the heels of missing the playoffs again in a third straight disappointment for fans -- coming into their brand-spanking-new ballpark, the Mets will want to make another splash, and what better way to do it than to let Manny be Manny in Queens?

Omar loves him, always has, and the timing is right. The guy may be 36 but he shows no signs of slowing, and may be the ingredient the Mets need. Maybe instead of leadership they need a guy who just doesn't give a crap about anything but playing ball and having fun. That's Manny. Pay him his money for four years (knowing that you'll only get 2 great years and one so-so year out of him), stick him in left field, bat him third and enjoy the righthanded production.

2. Sign Brian Fuentes. If you're gonna get Manny, you're not going to spend megabucks on a closer like K-Rod, but you definitely need one, and Fuentes is an up-and-coming closer with good credentials. Landing him will allow the Mets to build the bullpen up again from the back. UPDATE: Thanks to Andrew for pointing out that Fuentes is 33 years old, a bit old to be called up-and-coming. If anything, he's a late bloomer. Still works for me.

3. Let Oliver Perez go. He's too mercurial and he has Scott Boras as his agent. Wish him well and let someone else overpay for him.

4. Move Daniel Murphy to second base. He may eventually be best suited for first base, but for one season at least let's see if he can be our Chase Utley. It also fills a need without spending money.

5. Trade for Roy Halladay. Saved the best for last, didn't I? Halladay has two years left on his extension and in 2009 his salary jumps from $10 million to over $14 million per. Despite Toronto's solid season and GM J.P. Ricciardi's denials, the rumors have persisted that the Jays would listen to an offer for Halladay.

And who would the Mets deal? Fernando Martinez.

I know, you wouldn't include him in a deal for Santana, so why would you trade him now? Listen, Carlos Beltran is signed through 2011 and he has been incredibly consistent, plus his salary is so high, he's not going anywhere. Also, a lot has changed in the last year. The Mets failed to make the playoffs again, and so there is pressure to improve the team now.

Martinez is the future and his trade value has never been higher. He's yet to play in AAA and despite his recent injuries, he is the Mets' top prospect -- not counting Wilmer Flores, who is 16 years old. But Flores is the rising star, and while he's a shortstop now, he projects to be an outfielder.

Dealing Martinez while he still has the aura of a phenom can help land a big fish like Halladay, and could you imagine having Santana and Halladay followed by Pelfrey and Maine? Talk about helping your bullpen.

And with Manny in the fold, I'd be willing to give Pedro a one-year deal just to have the two on the team at the same time. Pedro as your fifth starter? That could work.

There you go, Omar -- a simple plan for rejuvenating the Mets. You're welcome!