A few years ago, right after another failed attempt the Mets to get Manny Ramirez, Yankee general manager Brain Cashman joked with reporters that he was willing to toss in a few prospects if it meant getting Ramirez out of the division.

Mets GM Omar Minaya should check with Cashman to see if the offer still stands.

With the Red Sox possibly looking to move the perennial All-Star, now is the time for Minaya to strike and bring the Washington Heights native back to the city to finish his career. It’s obvious the Mets need and outfielder – and some bullpen help as well – and the 36 year-old fills the bill nicely. He will slot right into the middle of the lineup, taking the pressure away from Carlos Delgado – who will cool down eventually – while allowing Carlos Beltran to assume the role he is better suited – a very talented secondary option, where the weight of the team is not his shoulders.

Ramirez will make the Mets a complete lineup which can go toe-to-toe with the Phillies nine on any given night and will give the team the extra runs, so the bullpen meltdowns are kept to a minimum. Even at this advanced age, the slugging outfielder becomes the most feared hitter the Mets have had in the lineup since Mike Piazza terrorized the Senior Circuit in 1999 and 2000.

More importantly, if Minaya is able to acquire Ramirez, New York not only becomes the favorite in the National League, but a serious World Series contender. No matter how well they are playing right now, the Mets are still a very flawed club, which will be lucky to play in October.

Sure there are a number of risks. Although he tried a number of winters ago, the Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein won’t just give Ramirez away and the Mets, after emptying the farm to get Johan Santana, don’t have a lot to offer. The Sox, though, might be happy just to get rid of Ramirez and may take top prospect outfielder Fernando Martinez, who the organization kept in the minors despite an outfield drought and a few lower ceiling players. Ramirez is a 5-and-10 man, so he can veto any trade, but it’s thought he will gladly accept a trade to his home town.

Minaya may also have to pick up his option for next season, but with Moises Alou coming off the books and if Delgado’s option get’s declined, Ramirez is already paid for in 2009 as the Mets open up Citi Field. Speaking of the new edifice, trotting out Ramirez everyday is a great way to get the fannies in the seats, even at the top dollar prices the Mets plan to charge.

Of course, there’s always the problem of Manny being Manny, which is why the Sox is trying to send him out of town. Over the years Boston seemed to ignore his eccentric behavior in favor of production at the plate. This could be a concern in 2009, but right after a trade, Ramirez, like most players, will be on his best behavior as he gets acclimated to his new surroundings. And if it doesn’t take, the Mets can part ways with the slugger after next season. And if it works out, the Mets still have a club option, keeping Ramirez in Flushing through 2010.

The clock is ticking though. A trade like this is tough to do at the deadline and it can easily fall though. Yet Minaya needs to pull the trigger is the gun is loaded. Fernando Tatis and Delgado won’t keep hitting like they have the rest of the season and a high quality left fielder is needed, especially with Ryan Church’s status still up in the air.

Ramirez fills the bill and then some. If he’s available, bring him to Queens.

Go get him, Omar.

Pagan, 26, batted .264 (39-148) with 21 runs scored, 10 doubles, two triples, four home runs, 21 RBI, four stolen bases, 10 walks and 32 strikeouts last year for the Cubs.

“Angel is young, athletic and has the versatility to play all three outfield positions,” said Mets General Manager Omar Minaya.

With Moises Alou, Carlos Beltran, Ryan Church as the starting three, Pagan and Endy Chavez will be the Mets primary backups with both Marlon Anderson and Damian Easley also able to play the outfield.

That leaves the ability for the team to move Gomez and/or Fernando Martinez for a frontline starter.

I don’t understand why.

Milledge, for all his potential, put up a number of red flags over the past two seasons. First, he rubbed teammates the wrong way with his me-first attitude. Then after having a great spring last season, the 22 year-old went on the disabled list for half the season and when he came back was good, but not great. And let’s not forget the rap album and angering opposing players, which made him a target at the plate.

Due to this, his value went down. It’s true that Omar Minaya could have gotten more last winter, but that’s the price teams pay for holing onto their prospects. Sometimes they go up in trade value and sometimes the stock goes down.

That said, Minaya filled a need on the Mets. With outfield prospects Carlos Gomez and Fernando Martinez behind Milledge, he delt from a strength to fill two holes: one behind the plate in Schneider and a proven outfielder in Chruch who will help the Mets next season.

And that’s more than Milledge could offer the Mets now. 

It’s true that in a few years, the Milledge may be a star, but Minaya couldn’t wait. The Mets are built for 2008 with an aging lineup and Pedro Martinez in his last year of his contract. To make up for the 2007 collapse, the Mets need to make the playoffs next season, so the general manager is filling holes for now.

That doesn’t include Milledge, who hit only .250 against righties last season, and was fooled by the offspeed stuff at times. 

With both Gomez or Martinez, both rising through the ranks quickly, “Lasto” became expendable.

And thus he’s a Washington National today, while the Mets made the 2008 team stronger.

It’s true Gomez could be moved for pitching later on, but Martinez seems like the best of the bunch and given time, he may make everyone forget Lastings Milledge.