The New York Mets will likely go shopping for bargains, and with that in mind, these are the three guys I think they should target in free agency:

1. Aaron Harang - It seems like teams are scared of Harang because he pitched so well at Petco Park and not so good on the road. But, Citi Field is a pitcher’s park too, so Harang would be a nice fit near the top of the Mets’ rotation in 2012.

2. Frank Francisco - The Mets need a closer and Frank Francisco is a very underrated one that won’t likely command the type of dollars that a Heath Bell would.

3. Jack Wilson - The Mets could use a sure handed infielder that can play 2B and SS. Wilson fits that bill.

Carlos Beltran, Angel Pagan, Willie Harris, Scott Hairston and Tim Byrdak could all be on the move this week. Beltran has a lot of suitors and the Mets are going to deal him to the highest bidder among the Red Sox, Yankees, Indians, Rangers, Phillies, Braves, Pirates, Diamondbacks and Giants. He is the top trade chip the Mets have available right now. CF Angel Pagan is falling out of favor with the Mets this year so they might try to deal him to a team like the Rangers, Indians or Braves who each have needs in CF. Willie Harris and Scott Hairston likely won’t bring back much for the Mets in a trade with the White Sox, Angels or Braves who are on the hunt for backup outfielders. Lefty reliever Tim Byrdak will draw a lot of interest in the trade market as not too many lefties are available right now. The Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies, Brewers, Cardinals and Diamondbacks could use a pitcher like Byrdak. The Mets say that they are going to keep catcher Ronny Paulino, lefty starting pitcher Chris Capuano and righty reliever (closer) Jason Isringhausen. If the Mets are truly rebuilding, then they should deal that trio too for prospects.

The Mets aren’t a serious World Series contender with the roster it has right now. With that in mind, I would make four deals this month to help get the Mets back on the right track. I know that no one wants to trade shortstop Jose Reyes, who has been the best shortstop in all of baseball this year. The reality of the situation is that the Mets aren’t going to re-sign him. So they should deal him to the highest bidder this month and I think it would be the Cincinnati Reds. If I were running the Mets, I would offer Reyes, Jason Isringhausen and Justin Turner to the Reds for SS Zack Cozart, 3B/LF/RF Juan Francisco, 2B/SS Chris Valaika, lefty starting pitcher Travis Wood, righty reliever/starter Sam LeCure and lefty starter/reliever Matt Maloney. That would be an outstanding haul for the Mets. Deal #2 would be with the Texas Rangers. Leaving the Mets would be RF Carlos Beltran, closer Francisco Rodriguez and cash and they would get CF Julio Borbon, catcher Taylor Teagarden, rookie outfielder Josh Richmond, righty reliever Pedro Strop and lefty reliever/starter Michael Kirkman. That would also be a nice haul for the Rangers. Deal #3 would involve trading lefty starting pitcher Chris Capuano and backup outfielder Scott Hairston to the Cleveland Indians for 2B/SS Luis Valbuena and outfielder Ezequiel Carrara. Finally, the Mets would deal catcher Ronny Paulino to the Giants for 2B/SS Emmanuel Burriss. These deals would net the Mets 9 position players and five pitchers that would be ready to pitch for them right now. It’s time for the Mets to rebuild and it’s going to hurt at first, but in the long run they will be o.k.

The New York Mets are having money issues right now and if they aren’t in the race for the N.L. East by the middle of July, they could be on the verge of an epic firesale. Jose Reyes, Jason Bay, David Wright, Carlos Beltran, Willie Harris and Scott Hairston will likely be the position players made available. Chris Capuano, Jason Isringhausen and Francisco Rodriguez could also be dealt if the Mets keep losing. The bad thing about the Mets right now is even if they get hot, they don’t have the money to add any major pieces at the trade deadline. I just hope they resist making any deals with the Yankees.

The Mets have 7 free agents heading into this winter. This is how I would handle deciding who stays and goes from this bunch:

Jose Reyes: The Mets have a $11 million dollar option for 2011 on the 27-year old switch hitting shortstop Jose Reyes with a $500,000 buyout. Reyes played in 133 games for the Mets last season and he was 159 of 563 (.282 avg, .749 OPS) with 83 runs scored, 11 homers, 54 RBIs and 30 stolen bases. VERDICT: Reyes is one of the best players on the Mets, when healthy, so I would pick up his option.

Hisanori Takahashi: 35-year old lefty starter/reliever Hisanori Takahashi was pretty solid as a rookie for the Mets last season. He pitched in 53 games (12 starts) for the Mets and he was 10-6 with 8 saves, a 3.61 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. VERDICT: I would try to re-sign Takahashi before the exclusive negotiating window is over for the Mets. If he gets out on the free agent market he might be too expensive to bring back.

Elmer Dessens: 39-year old righty reliever Elmer Dessens just continues to pitch well for the Mets. He worked in 53 games (0 starts) for the Mets last season and he was 4-2 with a 2.30 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. VERDICT: I would offer Dessens a small raise and try to get him to come back for 2011.

Pedro Feliciano: 34-year old lefty reliever Pedro Feliciano is a true workhorse reliever. He pitched in 92 games (0 starts) for the Mets last season and he was 3-6 with a 3.30 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP. VERDICT: While the WHIP is a little bit scary, the Mets should still re-sign Feliciano.

Fernando Tatis: 35-year old righty swinging 1B/OF Fernando Tatis was dinged up and he wasn’t very productive when he was healthy. Tatis played in 41 games for the Mets last season and he was 12 for 65 (.185 avg, .592 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 2 homers and 6 RBIs. VERDICT: I would likely let Tatis go, but invite him to spring training in February if he hasn’t signed with anyone by then.

Henry Blanco: 39-year old righty swinging catcher Henry Blanco is near the end of his career. He played in 50 games for the Mets last season and he was 28 of 130 (.215 avg, .571 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 2 homers, 8 RBIs and 1 stolen base. VERDICT: I would let him walk.

Kelvim Escobar: 34-year old righty reliever Kelvim Escobar didn’t pitch at all for the Mets in 2010. He only pitched in 1 game (1 start) in 2009 for the Angels and he was 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP. VERDICT: I would let him walk and let some other team take a chance on him in 2011.

Elmer Dessens