Sorry for the lack of recent posts, but can you really blame me. Aside from Johan Santana, this season basically picked up where last season left off. They’re hitting, just not with guys in scoring position. That juggernaut of 2006 seems like a dream it happened so long ago. I don’t think we’ve seen this current incarnation of Mets play as a team since.

The Mets needed a big bat in the offseason and didn’t want to pay for it. Pay on the cheap and this is what happens. Sheffield doesn’t even fit that bill. Other than the hopes that Sheff brings the crazy to break the monotony of another mediocre summer, I could care less that he’s on the team.

Wright is moving to the five slot, Beltran to hit third. Might as well, nothing else works. Maybe we could draw the lineup out of a hat and see what works. Who knows.

Also, Manuel wants Beltran to steal more bases. I’m glad Jerry’s been paying attention because we all know how well Beltran excels when he has a minor leg injury.

The roster moves were likely born out of necessity instead of a shift in team philosophy. With Ryan Church’s return uncertain, Moises Alou out for the season, John Maine and Billy Wagner both struggling with injury and no help to be found at the deadline, what else are they going to do? Bring up the young kids, why not?

Although the Mets offense has been failing lately, they should be able to compensate for Church’s extended absence. The most pressing concern is the state of the bullpen which will require a intense off-season overhaul. None of the current arms are capable of closing in Wagner’s place, and the odds of a 23 year old rookie closing in a pennant race aren’t in the Mets’ favor.

But take heart, the Mets don’t figure to be in the pennant race much longer. Of course a quick and early end to the season might prove refreshing than another August/September swoon and slow death of a team that is less than the sum of its parts.

So what the hell, lets all sit back and watch these four prospects who, depending on who you believe are either highly talented or overvalued. The July surge was nice, but likely an anomaly in another high expectation, also-ran Mets season plagued once again by a stagnant offense and poor bullpen performance.

2009 isn’t that far away.