I have gone on record saying there is a contract threshold where Jose Reyes becomes a diminishing return. His dubious health record makes me wonder if anything above 5 years and $100 million dollars is a sound investment. Also, for as good as he is, there are questions about whether he is a cornerstone player or a supplemental star that needs to orbit around the core. Even Sandy Alderson pointed out that a ” franchise player is only valuable as such if he is contributing to a winning franchise as opposed to simply acting as eye wash for a team that is not very good,” during a conference call last night. I think we know which side of that aisle Reyes’ 2011 season falls into. With that said, the figures that are thrown around are in an arena the Mets have no excuse to not play in and succeed. Despite the inherant risk, there has yet to be a contract figure thrown around that isn’t a reasonable figure for his services.

There are rumors that Miami has offered a 6 year/$90 million dollar deal to Reyes a couple of weeks ago. Just a day after signing Heath Bell to a 3-year deal to be their closer, rumors are rampant that Miami will raise their offer to Reyes. It may be too soon to comment on his market, but right now it appears to be very thin. I would be shocked if a team like the Phillies didn’t jump in the fray, however only Detroit seems to be on the periphery checking in. Can you imagine what this town will do if the Mets lose Reyes to the Marlins over 1 year and $10 million dollars ? The same team that has conducted two fire sales in the last 15 years is going to outbid a team in the New York market. What would seem preposterous even as recent as last month has a real possibility of becoming a reality before the New Year.

Of course, if Miami wants to get silly and give Reyes a “Carl Crawford contract,” then you really can’t blame the Mets for passing. Despite the terrible deal for Bell, I don’t see Loria and company throwing around a market setting contract. A more likely scenario is they play in the $100 million dollar ballpark. That’s an arena  in which the Mets should never lose, especially for a popular homegrown player.

The Mets financial situation has become an embarrassing punch line this year. A cherry on top of 2011 would be ownerships inability to compete with a team that has been the ultimate MLB welfare recipient. Losing to Boston, Philadelphia, or even Detroit is one thing. Lose out to a fraudulent owner and franchise is quite another.

Mike Silva is a freelance writer and radio host since March of 2007. This website is his own personal "digest" of New York Baseball He's also hosts NYBD Radio on Blog Talk Radio and 1240 AM WGBB. Check out his sports media commentary at www.sportsmediawatchdog.com. Check out his official website, www.mikesilvamedia.com

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Tags: Detroit Tigers, Florida Marlins, Jose Reyes, Miami Marlins, New York Mets, Sandy Alderson