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Matt Holliday is on the trading block. The star outfielder for the Colorado Rockies who made $9,500,000 in 2008 will probably be traded before the 2009 season begins. Colorado are in desperate need of pitching and want to unload their 2006-2007 National League Silver Slugger to the highest bidder for some serious pitching depth and then some. The Mets should be deeply intrigued by this possible transaction. Holliday will turn 29 this year with the prime of his career ahead of him, if it hasn't already begun. I'm sure no one thinks the Mets have enough chips on the table to acquire Holliday or have to many holes to be trading for a corner outfielder but i strongly disagree. I think addition by subtraction is the answer. For a winning team to be ready by April, it's spring cleaning time for Omar Minya. Heres how and why the Mets should get Matt Holliday... By trading John Maine he can give the Rockies an immediate starter for 2009 . Jon Neise, who can give them a future starter with some serious uprise. Aaron Heilman, who finally could get his shot at starting or stay in the bullpen and Nick Evans and outfielder who can also be a utility player. He plays first base and all three outfield positions. Maine, Neise, Heilman and Evan's for Holliday is a good trade for all parties. And heres why... With the addition of Holliday this gives the Mets more room to become a new and improved baseball team. Say goodbye to Heilman and the hands you put in front of your eyes when he's approaching the mound. But a new team and possibly a new role might bring out the good in Aaron. As for Maine, who is seemingly becoming inconsistent and hasn't proven much to me or any other Mets fan in the last two seasons should also go. But he's still young and has pitched in big spots like the 2006 NLCS, this could be attractive to the Rockies. And the two kids, the only second thought about this trade but at the end of the day thats just the price you pay to get someone like Matt Holliday who makes your team that much better. Holliday could solidify the Mets outfield and lineup. In the outfield you have Holliday, Beltran and Church and in the lineup another bat to go potentialy in between Beltran and Wright. Holliday will be more valuable now and over time to the Mets organization. Not to mention cheaper then someone like Manny Ramirez. For the Mets sake i hope Omar Minya has gotten over his love affair with Manny. This team needs to get younger, better and surround themselves with leaders as soon as possible! Manny, as good as he is has too much baggage looming over those dreadlocks of his. It would be a huge mistake financially and possibly for team morale to sign the 12 time allstar. I understand a trade of this caliber would only happen if Holliday and the Mets construct a new contract to keep the star in New York for years to come. Similar to last years situation when the Mets traded for Johan Santana (Not in dollars but similar to how the deal was handled). I heard during the trade deadline this year when Holliday was being shopped around that he respected the Mets and the New York fans. I feel Matt and the Mets would have no problem figuring out the years and the numbers to keep him around for a long time. But adding Holiday still leaves many holes in the reconstruction of the 2009 Mets. With the addition of Holliday and the subtraction of Maine, you now have Fernando Martinez as a hopeful and persuasive chip to trade away for pitching. Possibly a Jake Peavy type, but doubtful. More like a Justin Verlander, Joakim Soria or a Javier Vazquez deal make sense. A trade of Luis Castillio is a must, i think rather for right fielder Eric Byrnes or a relief pitcher. The Mets will probably have to send money with Castillio to make any trade happen. This can then open up a spot for Orlando Hudson if he's interested in being the new Met second basemen (Which i hear he is). Relief pitching will mostly come from the free agent market, pitchers like Juan Cruz, Brandon Lyon and probably lefty Brian Fuentes over the pricey K-Rod will be looked at. For the rotation if they don't get CC Sabathia or Oliver Perez i like Randy Wolf and Derek Lowe, reliable and hard working pitchers. Not young, but more reliable then injury prone AJ Burnett. Outfielder Raul Ibanez has been on Minya's radar for some time. He would be a tremendous and more trustworthy upgrade from Mouises Alou to be the veteran fourth outfielder. And the re-signing of Carlos Delgado is a must, a guy to do what he did last year in that ring of fire deserves another year. Holliday is a huge chip that can help bring the Mets back to the playoffs. Get Holliday and others will follow. Show them you mean business Mr. Minya, make another splash to let them know you aren't taking the past three years lightly. rebuilding time is now. But rebuild responsibly. Holliday being Holliday sounds pretty nice to me. All sides win here. The Rockies get a young up coming starter in Maine. A prospect pitcher in Neise. A veteran righty in Heilman and a young talented outfielder in Evan's. The Mets get a leader, a winner and another bat to put in what can be a potential out right scary lineup. Holliday will be able to start in new Citi Field playing next to Carlos Beltran in New York for owners who aren't cheap and pay up when deserved, which he has shown his whole career. It's a Win-Win situation for everybody. Probably more Win-Win for New York.