I can't say he has been overlooked because the committee hasn't been asked to vote since it elected Tommie Agee in 2002. HoJo would be a strong candidate. And there is more to his resume. He was the club's first 30-30 player and, at different times, he had held the club's single-season records for runs batted in and total bases. He and Carlos Beltran share the club record for extra-base hits. And Johnson once shared the club single-season record for runs.

I think the Mets should scale back the orange and go back to a more traditional style -- blue and white, very little orange, and also start marketing the "NY" logo a lot more. They should also stop marketing the scripted Mets logo. Enough with that! With all these changes moving into there new home Citi Field, I think it would be a great move to ease the frustrations of the past two seasons. This would show Mets fans -- along with free-agents-to-be -- that Mets ownership is committed to straightening this thing out. What are your thoughts?
-- James S., No location given

Have you ever painted over rust?

I'd be surprised if a change of uniform would have the effect you seek. Exactly how a change of uniform would ease the frustration of consecutive shortfall eludes me, unless reducing the amount of orange now would retroactively produce the victories needed to offset two second-place finishes. And attire is not a big issue for free agents. I suspect a change of address might have minimal, but even less impact. But nice try.

Is it obvious that the Mets messed up with Scott Kazmir?
-- Fred W., Long Beach, N.Y.

Isn't there a statue of limitations on lamenting poor trades? Anyone care to chastise the club for dealing Nolan Ryan? How about for bringing in Marvelous Marv Throneberry? This is a case of "Get over it." The Kazmir trade blew up in the Mets' faces. Victor Zambrano was a quite unremarkable pitcher. But let's move on and find something more recent to lament. Or praise.

If the Mets could make one move before the beginning of the '09 season, what do you think it should be?
-- Ken B., Elizabeth, N.J.

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They have to add a closer. I don't believe Francisco Rodriguez is the answer. For more than a month now, people within the organization have spoken of Brian Fuentes as the most likely target. Even though they need at least one starter and perhaps two, the need for a closer is more critical if only because he would affect more games than any starter.

What are the chances of the Mets acquiring George Sherrill from the Orioles? I don't think spending so much money for K-Rod will best serve them because so many other areas need to be addressed. Maybe they can package Argenis Reyes, Daniel Murphy and Angel Pagan (I know he's injury prone, but regardless) to get Sherrill and Brian Roberts, and just release Castillo, his four-year contract notwithstanding. Your thoughts?
-- Alvin D., Brentwood, N.Y.

This may come as a surprise, but the Orioles don't exist for the sole purpose of helping the Mets. What makes you think they would be of a mind to deal their closer and create a hole in their own bullpen just so the Mets could fill theirs? And regardless of what Reyes and Pagan did in brief periods in '08, neither has that much value. Murphy would have greater value than the two combined, but he remains mostly unproven. Sherrill isn't proven beyond one year, either, but he did have a full and productive '08 and showed signs in '07.

With Jason Vargas pitching well in the Arizona Fall League and Tony Armas rehabbing in the Carribean, what are the chances either will be a member of the Mets rotation in '09, given the fact that Armas tore up Triple-A hitting last season before his injury?
-- Brent A., Washington, D.C.

If either is in the rotation when the Mets begin their '09 season, it will mean the club has neglected to fill the voids in the rotation. Please don't trust the Arizona Fall League or winter ball. Perfomance in neither is any sort of indication of how a player will perform in the big leagues. Vargas and Armas, if they are back at all, will be what they were last season, Minor League insurance against injury to a starter on the big league roster.

Do you think the Mets could put Nick Evans at first base, deal Carlos Delgado and use the money they save to sign Manny Ramirez?
-- Oscar P., Harlem, N.Y.

I'll agree with putting Evans at first and dealing Delgado -- for pitching. But no way would I import Manny Ramirez. There is no need to overpay for a player of dubious defensive ability and clubhouse citizenship for the sake of the RBIs he would provide for -- what? -- two years. The Mets need a reliable run producer. And Ramirez is one, but would his baggage fit in the clubhouse?

You have mentioned that you doubt the Mets have enough ammunition and would be reluctant to trade for Jake Peavy. What if the Mets were to package John Maine, Fernando Martinez and Shawn Bowman for Peavy? Yes, you lose Maine -- who is still a young and affordable pitcher -- along with your top outfield prospect, but I think Peavy -- who is signed for another five years-- would be a great addition to the rotation. Also, there are a lot of free agents available for the outfield that would be worth signing such as Pat Burrell, Adam Dunn, and Rocco Baldelli.
-- Chris V., Norwalk, Conn.

I didn't write the Mets would be reluctant to trade for Peavy, rather I said they don't have enough available parts of value to make a deal for a pitcher of that quality. And if they were to include Maine in a package, they wouldn't be filling a hole so much as they would be making the hole smaller.

I think you are wasting your time supporting the Mets. The Yankees are the best team in New York, while the Mets will never win another World Series. I think you should learn a thing or two about baseball and pick the real team.
-- Kevin C., Syracuse, N.Y.

"Never win another World Series" is a pretty rigid statement.

Moreover, I "picked" no team --- real or imaginary. And I don't support the Mets; I report about them.