That's Two Down...

Carlos Beltran is already missing the beginning of the Mets season, having had surgery on his knee a short while ago. Now it appears that Jose Reyes will also miss the beginning of the season.

I've been keeping an eye on the Mets during spring training, as any B&E reader would probably expect, and there's been some real hope. Some of these youngsters can play. Last year, all you heard was that the farm system was depleted. Now, some of those so-called depleted players are showing off some real skills.

No one has heard of Chris Carter, but he's got a good sports name. Vince Carter is a hell of a basketball player. Joe Carter was a decent baseball player. Gary Carter is a Hall-of-Famer. And don't forget Jimmy Carter. That guy can throw the hell out of a peanut. But anyway, Chris Carter! Three home runs in three at-bats. Nice work.

Twenty-year-old Jenrry Mejia is suddenly in the running to be the Mets setup man, when he was expected to begin the year in Double-A. He's had a hell of a spring, and Jerry Manuel can't hide his excitement.

And it's just a matter of time before Josh Thole takes over as the everyday catcher. The Mets have a plethora of catchers at spring training, and they're mentoring the hell out of that kid.

But this news about Jose Reyes, and his elevated thyroid levels, is turning the 2010 Comeback Mets (or however it is that they're marketing this team in their desperation to sell tickets) back into the Familiar Mets of 2009.

Screw you, Mets, for getting my hopes up with the youngsters.