Right now, as Wall Street takes it on the chin, the stench in Flushing is making the Dow look tame in comparison.

And after tonight’s 9-6 loss in 10 innings to the Cubs, the safest bet out there is to short the Mets. That’s if SEC chairman Christopher Cox hasn’t banned that action yet.

With the Phillies losing again to the Braves tonight, the Mets blew a golden opportunity. A win would have tied Philadelphia in the loss column and changed this race. But they couldn’t do it against a Cubs team which already clinched their division.

It means Johan Santana’s win proved only to be a dead cat bounce, as the Mets continued their downward trend.

Much like last year, the 2008 Mets season is being deconstructed in September. Taken down piece by piece, the same way their home will be next month. And believe me; Shea will be torn down in the middle of October. You can book that.

Maybe this is a good thing for the organization. Instead of believing it actually has a good team, it may be time to blow the whole thing up and start over again. Don’t re-sign Oliver Perez, who couldn’t get out of the fifth. Let Carlos Delgado walk and maybe even trade another core player or two.

Right now, outside of Santana, everyone should be available. That includes Jose Reyes and David Wright. Although great players too many times they came up small this September. Like the stock market, the Mets should sell high, before a third collapse makes it impossible to move them.

Unfortunately this won’t happen. Omar Minaya reportedly agreed to a four year extension, which means the team will have more of the same next year as it moves into Citi Field.

With no sign of a Hank Paulson bailout, the Mets will probably stand pat this winter. Oh sure there will be a mediocre reliever or two, but it’s highly unlikely the Wilpons will keep adding onto the payroll, with no playoff appearances to back them up.

And guess what? Much like the Wall Street bailout, the Mets will get off the hook, while Joe-public will be forced to pay the tab. Watch as prices go up with no results to back them up. And for what? An underachieving team in an Ebbets Field replica? It’s is really worth it?

Sure there are still four games left in the season, but is anyone betting on Pedro Martinez today? And how about Saturday? Can any Met fan feel confident in Brandon Knight or Nelson Figueroa against the Marlins?

No, it’s over Met fans. Tonight was their chance to put some pressure on the Phillies, but much like 2007, this season is not meant to be. The Brewers have stopped their doldrums and the Mets just can’t get out of their own way.

And frankly a team that can’t get runners home from third with no one out doesn’t deserve to win anyway.

So enjoy Shea’s last few days and if you want one last visit, that’s fine too. Just ignore the stench coming from the field.

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