This is the way the fucking world ends. Look at this fucking shit we’re in man. Not with a bang, but with a whimper. And with a whimper, I’m fucking splitting, Jack. – Dennis Hopper, Apocalypse Now

This is not the Mets year. The starting pitching was there, the offense was there, but the pen is most definitely inadequate. I think in some we’ve all known that in the back of our mind for a while. Even if by some miracle the Mets hold on to first, there’s no way the pen can hold up against playoff caliber bats in the seventh, eighth and ninth.

Right now, I’m watching from a detached frame of mind. Watching this God-awful pen flush the season down the toilet, it occurred to me there is a silver lining. With every late inning, bases loaded jam, with every Manuel jog to the mound, every multi-reliever inning serves to glaringly shout at Omar Minaya and the Mets brass that:

YES YOU DO NEED TO SIGN K-ROD THIS OFFSEASON.

I don’t care about cost, hell if he costs what Johan costs, he’ll be worth it. If you go cheap in 09 every other game will be a heart breaking repeat of Sunday at Shea against the Braves. What freaking good is Johan if you give his lead right back.

Yeah, I’ve heard it, blah, blah, homegrown talent, fine. But until the youngins are ready, the Mets need a Major League quality closer and set up men. God bless Ayala and Stokes, they’ve done better than anyone could have expected, but again, these last two weeks serve as a glaring message to Omar Minaya and the Mets brass:

LUIS AYALA IS NOT A MAJOR LEAGUE QUALITY CLOSER. BRIAN STOKES IS NOT A MAJOR LEAGUE QUALITY SETUP MAN.

So try and take solace as the Mets relinquish their lead on the NL East and to play Shea Stadium’s last game ever as a meaningless contest between two non-playoff contenders. It’s a somewhat fitting end to Shea Stadium and if the stars align, Shea’s last game could be the Mets and Marlins: The battle for second place.

I really hope I’m wrong.

Contrary to the denials that made the rounds Monday, officials from both teams say the Mets have contacted the Red Sox about Manny Ramirez and are interested in pursuing a deal for him if Boston decides to make him available.

The Red Sox suspect that GM Omar Minaya wants Ramirez more than Mets ownership does. Regardless, the Mets are reluctant to part with top-prospect talent in exchange for outfielders like Adam Dunn, Raul Ibanez and Randy Winn, but they (rightly) consider Ramirez a far superior hitter to those in that group, and they would discuss players in a Ramirez deal that they would not discuss in others.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was “totally just jerking Graziano’s chain”, said a deal was probably too complicated to get completed before Thursday’s deadline.

You know, I like a Manny to the Mets rumor. It makes a fan feel good. And why shouldn’t it? Ya figure you put that little rumor under your pillow at night, the Dan Graziano might come by and leave a quarter, am I right?

The point is, how do you know Dan Graziano isn’t a crazy glue sniffer? “Build model airplanes” says Graziano; well, we’re not buying it. He sneaks into your house once, that’s all it takes. The next thing you know, there’s money missing off the dresser, and your daughter’s knocked up. I seen it a hundred times.

Tommy Boy quotes aside, Yes Omar loves Manny. You know who else he also loves? Sammy Sosa. Do you see Sammy Sosa playing right field in orange and blue?

In actual news, MLB.com is reporting that the Angels and Braves are close to completing a deal with Mark Teixeira which at least keeps him out of the National League East and the NL in general.

As fun as Manny Mania is, the Mets desperately need another arm in the bullpen or we are going to be watching a lot more five run eighth innings. If Mets management is dead set against trading a prospect, it’s going to be an awfully long August and September. Lets hope Eddie Kunz gets major league ready fast.

For right now, anyway, in Omar I trust.