BELTRAN IS OURS!

Let's give a kick to the Yankees franchise whilst they're still down.

Rather than get into a bidding war with the suddenly imposing pockets of the Wilpon family, King George and his Yankee Machine declined to bid on Carlos Beltran thereby allowing himself to be outbid by his crosstown rivals for the first time in his 32 years as The Boss. Steinbrenner ultimately decided early Saturday evening that he could not meet Beltran's price. The Yankees were concerned about boosting their already hefty luxury-tax payments.

In any case, the most sought-after free-agent in baseball, outfielder Carlos Beltran has agreed to a 7-year, $119-million deal with Mets.

Shea What?! is about right, whoddathunkit?

In a sign either of his senility or his undying desire to rid the Cubs of Sammy Sosa, the usually coherent Phil Rogers of the Trib weighs in with the explanation that The Mets can still afford Sosa. Ha!

More to follow, more to add, more to celebrate and more to shake one's head over, pondering the other leaks that need to be plugged on this suddenly-imposing Mets vessel, but first, let the digestion of this news begin.

For the first time in years, it's good to be a Met fan again.