FLUSHING, NY - Now that Shea Stadium is in the process of being winterized, the New York Mets will be looking forward to the offseason.

Unlike the past few years, expectations will be high and general manager Omar Minaya will need to build a team designed to win the World Series.

Fortunately for New York, this team was only a few lucky hit away from the World Series, so there not a lot of work to be done.

But the Mets need to make sure it doesn’t fall into the trap that came after the 2000 World Series, because any steps back may take them down to the rest of the pack and their competition will be better next season, no matter what.

So let’s take a look at where changes will be made and what possible replacements could be available.

First Base: This wasn’t expected to be a problem with Carlos Delgado fitting in nicely this season, but he does have a right to demand a trade. His contract is heavily back loaded, so the first baseman is risking tossing a lot of money away if he goes through with a trade demand. Expect him to be back next year.

Second Base: No matter how well Jose Valentin played this season, it’s unlikely he will return. He will be 37 next season, and because of his resurgence with the bat and his ability to play second, will demand too much money. Plus Valentin will also expect a multiple year deal, which he will get from some other team.

The Mets are better off bidding Valentin goodbye and getting a replacement from the free agent market. They could go and woo Alfonso Soriano, but he is a defensive liability and the Mets will want someone to catch the ball at second. The other possible replacements are Julio Lugo, who Omar Minaya loves, another Brooklyn native Rich Aurilia and Red Sox second baseman Mark Loretta.

Left Field: No matter how much Cliff Floyd want to return, the Mets will not risk offering him arbitration, because they won’t want to risk getting stuck with him accepting it and possible paying over $8 million to a player coming back from foot surgery.

So, Floyd is gone and the Mets will replace their left fielder with a right handed power bat to compliment Shawn Green in the lineup. Minaya stated he was more comfortable playing a veteran in left, because the team seems not to be enamored with Lastings Milledge and feels Carlos Gomez is not ready.

Gary Sheffield is available, and he’s usually a good citizen his first season with a club, but the 37 year-old will want a multiple year deal, so unless he is still on the market in the middle of January, Doc Gooden‘s nephew is unlikely. They can try and sign Moises Alou or Preston Wilson, but neither get the juices flowing.

Here’s an out of left field choice - no pun intended - Shannon Stewart. The Twins free agent can hit at the top of the lineup behind Jose Reyes, which allows the Mets to move Paul Lo Duca down in the batting order. Stewart will fit well into Willie Randolph’s offense and he’s a credible left fielder, which will help as well.

If that doesn’t work out, the team can go trade some of the younger chips for a left fielder, but they are probably saving that for mound help.

Starting Pitching: Ok let’s begin with who’s out. Steve Trachsel will move on. No matter what was said by both sides, the righthander has a bitter taste in his mouth by the way he was treated in the past month and the Mets have a similar tang by the way Trachsel pitched. He is gone.

Tom Glavine and the Mets have a mutual option. If Glavine exercises it, he gets $7.5 million and the Mets end gives Glavine $14 million. Now, the Mets want him back, but the future Hall of Famer may want to go back to Atlanta to be with his family.

Minaya has stated all the moves he will make this winter will occur only if they benefit the team and will not take the consideration of the player into account, if it hurts the Mets. But this one may be out of the general manager’s hands. The Wilpons traditionally will accommodate a player - especially a loyal one - so if Glavine wants to go home, expect him at Turner next season. It’s better than even money he will move on.

Of the Mets free agent starters, Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez remains the most likely to return next season. Even at age 41, he is a credible No. 3 starter and pitches extremely well at Shea Stadium. He will probably be back at a reasonable rate.

With Pedro Martinez out until the All-Star break, the Mets will need to get one front line starter and possibly a mid-rotation pitcher. Barry Zito and Jason Schmidt are the biggest name free agents, but Zito will command top dollar and Schmidt has been reported wanting to stay out west.

Andy Pettitte is also available, but expect the former Yankee to stay in Houston or possibly go back to the Bronx.

If the Mets get none of the top like names, look for them to try and package Milledge and possibly Aaron Heilman for a starter. Dontrelle Willis is always a name that has been bandied about and if he goes on the market, the Mets will be involved.

One name the Mets may jump on for the middle of the rotation is Tony Armas, Jr. He is 28 and has a load of talent, but always pitched for a bad team. Minaya had him in Montreal, so a relationship is there and the Mets can get him for a decent rate.

Whatever happens, expect John Maine and Oliver Perez to be on the Mets, but the team will not have a rotation full of kids. Minaya said he wants a balance.

Relief Pitching: The Mets are still reluctant to put Heilman in the rotation, so expect him to be traded this offseason. Duaner Sanchez is expected to be fully recovered by Spring Training and Guillermo Mota will probably be resigned. The Mets will look to re-up Chad Bradford, as well.

The rest of the bullpen will be fill-ins from spring invites.

Bench: Julio Franco is the only one guaranteed for next season. The Mets will probably bring back Ramon Castro and if Endy Chavez is content being a fourth outfielder, he will probably return.

Other than that, the Mets will look to who’s available on the market and sign accordingly.

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