Reyes On The First Subway Out Of Queens?

Reyes' speed adds a different dynamic to his
game.

New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes is one of baseball's most exciting and dynamic infielders, and could be well on the verge of becoming one of the wealthiest.

Reyes is set to become a free agent at seasons end and will be one of the hottest commodities this winter.

Despite already having eight major league seasons under his belt, Reyes is still only twenty-eight and enjoying a career year. The Mets shortstop is currently leading the National League with .341 batting average and a share of the lead in runs scored with 54. He only trails Boston's Adrian Gonzalez for the major league lead in hits with 103 compared to the first basemen's 104.

However, Reyes is known for his speed and athleticism with the 2011 season being showcase for that thus far. He is leads the majors in the most exciting play in baseball with 12 triples and is second only to Houston's Michael Bourn with 26 stolen bases.

It looks to be paid day for Reyes, but are the Mets willing to pay him the money he is looking for?

It has been reported that Reyes is seeking a contract similar to that of Carl Crawford, who signed a seven-year $142 million deal this past offseason to man left field in Fenway Park for the Red Sox. That is an average of $20 million per season compared to the $11 million Reyes is making this season.

Crawford's '11 salary is approximately $14.8 million, but increases greatly throughout the contract. He is set make $19.5 million next season with the final five years of the contract paying the speedy outfielder $20 million or more per year.

Longtime Mets owner and investor Fred Wilpon doesn't see Reyes receiving that type of contract from him or anybody else for that matter, especially with his injury history. "He's a racehorse. He thinks he's going to get Carl Crawford money. He's had everything wrong with him. He won't get it," Wilpon stated.

Reyes' injury history is the only reason that statement could hold true. Now in his ninth season, the three-time All-Star has only played in 150 games four times in his career, averaging 115 games per season. He missed 29 games last season after starting the year on the disabled list with a thyroid problem.

With similar career numbers, Reyes will
be seeking Carl Crawford type money
this offseason.

If Reyes can stay healthy there is no question he is one of the best shortstops and players in the game today.

He is currently the fifth highest paid player on New York with left-handed ace Johan Santana, who is out until mid-season recovering from surgery, is the highest at $22.5 million. He and Florida Marlins' shortstop Hanley Ramirez are tied for the third highest paid at their position, trailing only the Dodgers' Rafael Furcal ($13 million) and the Yankees' Derek Jeter ($14 million) for the top spot.

The Mets have the seventh largest payroll in baseball this season at $118.8 million, but might not have the money to resign Reyes at that price given the current financial situation of the organization and commitment that have made to other players.

New York in recent years have overpaid for players like Jason Bay, Carlos Beltran, and Francisco Rodriguez with the type of production they have received from each during their time with the club. This has handcuffed ownership and the organization putting them on the verge of bankruptcy.

It was reported in Febraury that Wilpon and the Mets were loaned $25 million from Major League Baseball last November to cover the day-to-day expenses of the team after facing a liquidity crisis.

The Mets would become the second team in last year to declare bankruptcy if they choose that route. The Texas Rangers were delcared bankrupt last May with the Los Angeles Dodgers and embattled owner Frank McCourt on the verge of following suit.

All that being said, Reyes, when healthy, is the most important piece to this franchise moving forward and need to find a way to keep him in Queens for the long haul.  With New York having other major contracts expiring at seasons end, this leaves the possibility they could do just that.

Beltran's seven-year $119 million contract he signed prior to the 2005 season expires at the close of '11. Rodriguez also finds himself in the final-year of the three-year $37 million deal he signed in December of 2008, giving the Mets some financial flexibility this offseason

All-Star third basemen David Wright is not a free agent until after next season, but his future with the team could directly linked to Reyes.

The Mets could lose Wright, left and Reyes,
right in consecutive years if they are not
careful.

Along with Reyes, Wright has been the face of the franchise since 2004. While together they have yet to appear in a World Series, they have drawn comparions to another great left side of the infield just a subway ride away. Reyes and Wright have been said to be the younger verision of Yankees' third basemen Alex Rodriguez and Jeter, who have also played along side one another since '04.

That is high praise for two players that have had their share of health issues.

However, like Reyes, Wright is only twenty-eight and if the Mets can find someway to keep these two together and healthy those comparions could be validated soon.

A lot depends on the way this team plays the rest of the season. The Mets, who are currently 35-38 and in fourth place in the NL East, could be prone to trade Reyes at the July 31st trading deadline if that doesn't improve. Cinninatti and San Franciso are looking too upgrade at shortstop and increase their chances of getting back to the postseason with Reyes looking to be the logical fit for both.

Whatever the future holds for Reyes, it's sure to be a bright one with the sun right above the horizon.