This Is Probably Going to Suck For Awhile: Marlins 5, Mets 4

U MAD BRO?

In which I begin discussing the future of the Mets, rather than the 2011 season, which is, for all intents and purposes, over.  

That's not to say that the rest of the year won't be fascinating to watch, with Wright returning from his back stress fracture with six RBI over the weekend and a clutch homer indicating that he's ready to go, Reyes chasing the batting title (but no MVP, I think that ship has sailed), Johan Santana's return (?), what the Mets will get from the Beltran trade, and seeing what the final two months hold for guys with unestablished 2012 roles like Daniel Murphy, Justin Turner, Dillon Gee, and Bobby Parnell.  

Granted, Parnell didn't look like a closer of the future yesterday, coughing up a one-run lead in the eighth inning, but his predecessor isn't exactly missed these days either.  All HE'S done is blown the one save he's gotten a chance at since going to Milwaukee, and then flipping off the camera.  We are richer for having lost him...$17.5 million richer, to be exact. 

No matter where the Mets finish up this season, (SPOILER ALERT: .500 even, there must always be balance this year) I am eagerly anticipating what should be a very eventful winter, and am about ready to out myself as an unabashed Sandy Alderson fan.  I admit that I knew very little about him when he was named the GM last winter, but my mindset being "Anyone's better than Omar," I was cautiously optimistic. Having now seen him in action, I'm very encouraged about the future. He found some hidden gems during his first offseason (Capuano, Ronnie Paulino, and Isringhausen), and handled the potential K-Rod disaster deftly and candidly. Listen to this interview where he clearly gives no fucks who hears that K-Rod would have been a non-factor in the Mets' playoff chances.  

Of course, in the same interview he states that trading Beltran would be a clear white flag, which is why it's kind of a relief that the team has made the decision so easy for him.  I can stomach some more disappointing Sundays in the upcoming weeks if it means the possibility of some thrilling autumns in years to come.