MLB Free Agents 2012: Jose Reyes Leaving Will Benefit the New York Mets

With the news that Jose Reyes went down to Miami to speak with the Marlins, New York Mets fans seem almost certain he isn't coming back. And that's a good thing.

Miami is a new team with a new stadium and a new manager. The desperation will be there to bring in a big name free agent or two and in the process, the Marlins might overspend to do so.

That will put the Mets in a bidding war with the Marlins and every other team that will pursue Reyes. Unfortunately for New York, it's a war that financially they can't win.

That being said, the Mets are better off anyway not re-signing Reyes. He isn't worth the money he is seeking and surely the Mets shouldn't overpay to bring him back.

I've heard Mets fans say he is the heart and soul of the team. But if Reyes is the heart and soul, then the Mets are a team without any heart or soul.

What exactly gives him this title? Was it the ridiculous dancing he used to do, showing up his competition in the dugout? Or maybe it was his indifference about running out a ground ball under manager Willie Randolph?

How about pulling a weasel move like taking himself out of the last game of the season for his selfish desire to win a batting title?

Not exactly the type of qualities you're looking for in a player who is the "heart and soul" of a team.

Furthermore, Reyes is unreliable in numerous ways.

First off, he has missed a combined total of 191 games the past three seasons, making it hard to believe that he can actually play a whole season anymore. That will only get worse for the fragile shortstop as he gets older.

Also, Reyes had his best season in a contract year, something that isn't so rare for a player to do. There's no telling how the rest of his career will play out, but Reyes has only played up to his potential when he had a chance to get a big contract.

So looking at it objectively, just what are the Mets missing?

Do you honestly believe that bringing back Reyes to a mediocre Mets team will make them a playoff contender? Do you think more seats will be filled as a result of Reyes alone, even being on a bad team?

This is New York. If you aren't winning or breaking records, fans won't spend the money to come see you. Maybe if you give away the tickets for free they will. Even then, don't hold your breath.

The Mets are years away from competing and spending big money on Reyes would be a total waste. With the young pieces the Mets have now, they are building a foundation for the future, but they simply aren't there yet.

They are better served saving their money for the future, when they are a few players short of the playoffs. That's when you open your wallet and bring in guys that can complete your team.

Not to mention, saving their money now will allow them to get out from under the financial trouble they're having and set them up to be players in the free-agent market in the future.

Don't worry, Mets fans. It may seem like doomsday now, but Reyes leaving will ultimately benefit the Mets in the long run.

This generation of Reyes and David Wright is over as even Wright's days may be numbered. It was a total failure and instead of holding onto something that isn't there, the Mets should just let it go. And it starts with letting Reyes walk.

@michaelmoraitis