So, point-by-point to the best of my ability:

Parnell has been throwing harder this season compared to last. And yes, he hit 102 the other day (in Houston, actually). I'd be very happy with a homegrown closer, and you're right, there haven't been many lights out closers of late.

F-Mart, well I'm glad you're considering his 2010 performance. P.S. - he just landed on the minor league DL with a bad knee.

You're right on Francoeur - despite my love affair (I seem to be the only one in New York who has one) with him, he ranks below the three others. Well, Bay and Beltran have been pretty terrible at the major league level this season...

I fully support a youth movement - I just think that stadium prices should change if the product on the field is (a) inexpensive and (b) not touted to be playoff worthy. Those are just my... 2 cents.

-StanO

I'm more than happy to have a slick fielding second baseman given the make-up of the rest of the infield.

I'm going based on articles as I can't watch games, but I've read that Parnell is hovering around 100 and has hit 102 (is that really possible, I ask myself) and Jerry Manuel himself said he envisions Parnell as closer of the near future. If K-Rod is not playing next year for one reason or another, I'd so much rather have Parnell as closer than try to sign some no goodnick. Name a single closer who did well for a team they got signed to as a free agent. Billy Wagner might be the one exception...otherwise it's pretty much always a young kid who comes up in the org. Look what happened to the mets closers in the past, or even JJ… never mind, it’s kind of the opposite of “Putz.”

I am fine leaving F-Mart outta the equation, but speaking of Franceour, you can't rank him above any of the 3: Bay, Beltran, and Pagan. I sill can't believe Bay has been out for so long, I thought he used to play hockey! He can't recover from a concussion that he put upon himself? Weird....

Also, I get the point with F-Mart... I wonder if the Mets could even get anyone for him at this point. Put him and Castillo together for some arm(s)!

Another rumor I've been reading/hearing about is that Minaya will be out very soon, perhaps as soon as the season ends. If this is the case, that would be grand, well depending on the replacement of course. But given the fact that he Mets really do have so many young up and comers not just on the horizon but actually in the field of play, and as I said they have $50M coming off the books in one more season, it'd be like a GM’s dream. I only pray they choose someone crafty and intelligent.

-Natron

I appreciate your reservation about Mejia.

Parnell as a closer? That's a ballsy move, but okay.

If Martinez were halfway decent, I'd support your decision. However, from what I have seen, he is a miserable player. Not to mention his 2010 AAA stats. Well, they're not miserable, but they certainly aren't good:

257 ab

39 r

16 2b

0 3b

12 hr

33 rbi

1 sb

17 bb

65 so

.253 avg

.455 slg

I would certainly love Ruben Tejada to be our second baseman because he can field, throw, and looks to be pretty quick. However, he can't hit fo' squat right now and I'm very wary of that. He is 1 for 32 in the month of August. However, he has been walking this month. Anyway, I'm concerned about his ability to hit. If he hit like Rey Ordonez with more stolen bases, I might be okay with that (http://espn.go.com/mlb/players/stats?playerId=3399).

So basically, I agree with your picks with reservations about Parnell (at closer. But then again, who is reliable besides Mariano Rivera?), Martinez, and Tejada. I would love Tejada and Parnell to do what you say. However, I'm really low on F-Mart.

Nate, Frenchy has had much "better" at-bats recently (i.e., working the count - he has walked 3 times in his last 16 at-bats to 1 strikeout). I still like him for some reason...

I like the idea of a homegrown, young team on the field. But the Mets better lower ticket prices or ain't nobody showing up! I got the ticket price thought from a caller to Richard Neer - if this is going to be a "bad" team with many young players, then the Mets can't charge current ticket prices and it would probably be difficult for the Wilpons to lower the prices...

-StanO

Here r homegrown mets who, I think, should have starting roles next year. I just read the Mets have $50M coming off the books after 2011 and will not be spenders this year. If that's the case then they should let their you develop all season long!
SP: niese, pelfrey, mejia (depending on how his arm strength builds)
Closer: Parnell
C: Thole
1b: Davis
2b: Tejada
3b: Wright
SS: Reyes
RF: Martinez
CF: Pagan

The remaining position players are Bay, Beltran, Franceour. F-Mart might benefit from playing as a 4th OF to give Bay and Beltran rest in the corners. Franceour could become the best and most expensive defensive replacement ever. The other option is to continue to cultivate F-Mart in the minors but Christ he's been at the same level for two years and can't stay healthy. I say throw him into the fire and see if he sinks or swims, (to mix metaphors). Besides the OF, I think the line up should be entirely homegrown. And even the pitching should be solidified with youth, the other two spots going to Johan and Dickey!

That is all.

-Natron