For the last few week’s i’ve been mentally preparing myself for the inevitable fate that Jose Reyes would sign with the Miami Marlins. As much as I tried to stay as optimistic as I could, realistically I knew the team was moving in a different direction. This regime will not give 6 year contracts to players with an injury riddled past as grey as Reyes.

Some Mets fan’s will kick and scream and demand the Wilpon’s heads. How could they not be willing to give Jose Reyes 106 million? Are you really that broke? That cheap? Is this not New York? However these fan’s are misunderstanding the situation. The Mets did not let Reyes walk because of the money. Believe me they have the money to lock Reyes up for as long as they want. And TRUST ME they know how valuable he was toward the on-field product. His value will reflect worse in the attendance figures for the the 2012 season then in the actual standings. The Mets will survive without Reyes, and they won’t have his looming leg injuries to worry about. Especially with a contract as hefty as 106 million over 6 years to boot.

As far as why I won’t boo Jose Reyes upon his return to New York?

How could I boo someone who made a sound life decision for himself and his family? He got the contract he was hoping for (100+ mil), He will be playing in Miami, which is a growing Sports city (see Miami Heat), Brand New Stadium, Brand New (Latin) Manager, Friends (or acquaintances?) on the team (Hanley Ramirez). All this add’s up to a very successful new life for Jose Reyes in South Beach.

I would never boo Jose Reyes for making the decision he made. Will it hurt to watch him play 20+ games a year vs. the Mets? Absolutely. He was my favorite player. He was also the lifeblood of the very energy that flowed through the team in past years (when he was healthy). However that was then and this is now. New Mets team’s will create new chemistry. New energy. Will it be sad not to see Number 7 running and jumping around being himself next season? Yes. But with new team’s come new favorite players and new excitement.

Here’s toward the future! Let’s Go Mets!

You’re not going to win many games when you leave 14 runners on base, and that’s exactly what the Mets did.

Maine started and other than letting up two solo homers to Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla, he had a good outing allowing just those two hits and a walk in five innings pitched, while striking out five. He retired the last seven batters in a row.

Sean Green and Bobby Parnell followed Maine and both struggled to get out of the inning. They each gave up a run on three hits. Putz then pitched a scoreless eight inning.

In the ninth inning with Feliciano on the mound, the Marlins’ newest weapon Emilio Bonifacio was called safe on a close play at first. O’Day relieved and walked Hanley Ramirez who had three hits in the game, setting up the final matchup against Cantu who won the game and sent the Mets into the clubhouse while a celebration ensued at home plate.

Dan Murphy, Ryan Church and Carlos Beltran each had three hits, including a solo homer for Beltran.

The Marlins continue to give the Mets fits even on a day where they got good starting pitching.

The Mets were 0-10 with runners in scoring position tonight until Jeremy Reed tied the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the ninth.

During the broadcast, Gary Cohen reminded us that the Mets payroll in $100 million dollars more than the Marlins who at $38 MM have the lowest in the majors.

It was interesting to see Manuel use both catchers in the game with no emergency catcher in the dugout. He used every player on his bench tonight.

When Gary Sheffield pinch hit for Maine, he was intentionally walked to bring up Jose Reyes… it worked out for the Marlins as Reyes weakly popped one up.

We’ll, there’s nothing left to do except go back out and try to beat the Marlins tomorrow afternoon when Livan Hernandez makes his debut for the Mets. The fish are off to their best start in franchise history.

Somebody stop the Marlins!

The Marlins, who finished 84-77 the year prior, traded away 1B Mike Jacobs to the Kansas City Royals for set-up man Leo Nunez. The Marlins also traded Josh Willingham and Scott Olsen to the Washington Nationals for Emilio Bonifacio and two minor leaguers. Closer Kevin Gregg was dealt to the Chicago Cubs for pitcher Jose Ceda.

The top prospects that the Marlins received in the Miguel Cabrera trade 16 months ago are primed to start the season on the major league roster, Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin.

Maybin is expected to bat leadoff and play CF, and he should develop into a great player. Jeremy Hermida and Cody Ross will be the two full-time corner outfielders.  Alfredo Amezaga will serve as the 4^th outfielder.

The middle infield does not change much, with Dan Uggla and Hanley Ramirez returning at 2B and SS respectively. Jorge Cantu will move to 1B, and Emilio Bonifacio has beaten out Dallas McPherson for the starting 3B job.  John Baker will be the catcher.

Ricky Nolasco enters as the ace of the staff, followed closely by Josh Johnson. Anibal Sanchez and top prospects, Andrew Miller and Chris Volstad round out the starting rotation. Matt Lindstrom is the closer.

Notes: Hanley Ramirez moves from leadoff to 3^rd in the lineup… Jorge Cantu Can Do both corner infield positions if necessary, so if Bonifacio struggles, prospect Gaby Sanchez can take over at 1B, and Cantu would play 3B… with a new stadium set to open in 2012, it would not be unreasonable to see them give a long term contract to either Nolasco or Johnson, but not both. Currently, Hanley Ramirez is the only player with a long term contract… Dan Uggla is entering his final season as a Marlin, the only question is when he gets traded away. If the Marlins fall out of contention early, he could be gone at the July 31 deadline. If not, he’ll be gone after the season.

This team will score many runs, but will strike out even more.

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Now for a game: Movie Star to Met 6 Degrees of Separation.

Can you find the 6 degrees of separation between Brad Pitt and Mike Piazza? The answer will come in the Washington Nationals preview.