The Good

Easy: Carlos Beltran’s back. This is tantamount to making a huge acquisition via trade to deepen the lineup.The everyday outfield should have, from left to right, Jason Bay, Beltran, and Angel Pagan. Hopefully, Jerry Manuel wisens up and keeps a certain other outfielder on the pine, because any one of these three can, in theory, disrupt a game at any time. Beltran is a five tool player, who’s woefully under-appreciated, and his return does nothing but improve the team.

Hey, the National League won the All-Star Game! Thanks, Joe Girardi! Not pinch-hitting Alex Rodriguez made the game that much easier to win. Thanks David Ortiz, you slow bastard! And we have to give it up for David Wright. The guy does nothing but look good during All-Star Games. I’m going to be insanely optimistic and proclaim that the Mets will appreciate that home field advantage come October (November? How much later can we push the Fall Classic?).

History should… I repeat, should, not be repeating itself. Jose Reyes is expected to return tonight against Arizona. Note my guarded optimism. Did you note it? Good, because I’m still nervous, and who knows what can happen between now and 9PM EST. Hurry back, Jose, and provide that spark that this team clearly and desperately needs. I’m pretty sure I’ll have nightmares of 2009 for years.

The Bad

Let’s be honest, guys: Jeff Francoeur is awful. As a regular in the Hot Foot Bleachers (check the link on the right, folks) said during yesterday’s game after Frenchy’s latest flailing strikeout, “I’m surprised he doesn’t swing on throws over to first.” Yes, he’s got a great attitude. Yes, he’s good to offload some of the media attention on. Yes, his arm is a cannon, and stops people from tagging from 3rd purely based on his reputation. No, he is not a good offensive player. Case closed. Note to Jerry: He doesn’t need to play. That is all.

This west coast trip that could break (though definitely could not make) the Mets’ season has started off in a bad way. The Giants can’t score. That’s good! The Mets - apparently - can’t score either. At least, not without Reyes. That’s bad. Johan Santana looks like the ace he is. That’s good! Hisanori Takahashi looks like a guy who needs to be in the bullpen. That’s bad. The Mets haven’t lost any significant ground to Atlanta over the last 4 games. That’s good! It’s starting to look more and more like Omar Minaya’s hands are either tied, or firmly being sat on, because I really doubt a deal that improves this team gets done by the 31st. That’s bad.

The Ugly

Mike Pelfrey needs to learn how to sleep on a plane.

I don’t think I can take watching Francisco Rodriguez anymore. I’d like to change his nickname to Fail-Rod. Do I need to fill out a form or something to make that official? He’s got 5 blown saves already, and constantly puts runners on, making everybody sweat. I also have to point out that he looked pretty foolish pumping his fist when finishing the game in the 10th after Ike Davis bailed him out with a RBI double, and after he blew a save in the 9th, taking away yet another Santana win.