Without delving into this year’s free agent market (we have more than enough time for that) I thought I would address some changes Fred and Jeff Wilpon should make for the upcoming 2008 season and serve the dual purpose of keep out of Omar’s hair. We have one of the Best GM’s in baseball (I don’t care what you say about the Bannister trade) and the last thing he needs is to be micromanaged regarding personnel in a crucial off-season. Since a medaling owner(s) is essentially franchise poison, here are five things, besides signing checks, the Wilpons need to address this winter.

Find a New Business to Take Care of: I will be the first to admit, I caught myself humming the BTO tune through September and part of October of 2006. This year, I felt it was bad taste and cheapened the 06 season (after Mota already put it on sale). Now I can’t stand the song. Pick a new one, any one, the Star Spangled Banner, Happy Birthday, Old McDonald, whatever, I don’t care, just find a new one.

Throw out the Trash: Get rid of that god-awful coffee cup in the Visitor’s bullpen. You’re a Major League Club in the Baseball Market of all baseball markets. Stop acting like the Toledo Mud Hens. You should be ashamed of yourselves.

Cheater be Gone: I want a World Series Crown for the Mets just about as I want anything in this world; but I don’t want the Mets to cheat to get it. The Mets sent a disturbing signal when they resigned Mota after he tested positive for a banned substance. Now we have allegations that Schoeneweis may have been caught possessing them. It’s time the Mets make a clear and loud signal that banned substances will not be tolerated by this club. And by the way, WTF? Two juicers in two seasons? Who are we the mid 90’s Texas Rangers? I may want a championship; I don’t want a tainted one.

Pick a Uniform. I think the Black unis need to be auctioned off to benefit some worthy charity only to be worn again on some throwback day. Face it, it was a revenue stream discovered by the White Sox in the early 90’s. Not a bad idea from a business standpoint. Instead of one official hat sell three. I hate the black, nothing good happens in the black. The black and blue caps are just plain ugly. Blue hats with the pinstripes at home, grays on the road. Stick with what works fellas:

• Blue Hats: 2 World Championships
• Blue Hats/Black Hats/Blue and Black Hats: 0 World Championships

Dump Caroline from our City: Why do we sing Sweet Caroline at a baseball game? My theory is that Theo Epstein bet Brian Cashman that he could get fans in other cities to sing Neil Diamond for no apparent reason. It’s a good a guess as any. Let the Red Sox have there nonsensical traditions, at least pick your own song to sing for no apparent reason. No, the new song can’t be Taking Care of Business.