To protect Santana, the Mets recently began using a six-man rotation, with Jeremy Hefner being thrown into the mix, but one wonders if that was just a way of easing Santana out. He doesn't look right out there, and whether it is physical, mental, or a combination of both, Santana looks like he is done. Maybe he needs a few weeks off, or maybe he needs to wait until next year.
It is obvious to even the most orange and blue blooded (among whom I count myself) that this season is over. It is always difficult for Mets fans, especially as the hated Yankees continue their express ride to another post season run, but we have to face facts. All King Wilpon's horses and all his men can't put the team back together again this year. It may even be a harder truth that the likelihood of Wilpon doing anything substantial for next year is not promising, so it may be a while before the Mets play meaningful baseball games in October.
So, with nothing riding on this season, the team should approach Santana and ask him to go quietly into that good night. It is the best thing for him and for the team in the long run. Like Bogie and Bergman will always have Paris in the film Casablanca, Mets fans will always have June 1, 2012. We will have that and not much else to get us through the dark winter, and then there will be a hope of another spring for Mets fans. As has always been the case for us, it's time to accept our old "Wait until next year" and move on.
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