General manager Sandy Alderson, on WFAN today, equated the Jose Reyes departure to that “of losing somebody after a long illness … you can prepare for it, but when it happens it is a hard thing to accept.’’ With Alderson forecasting a $100-million payroll for 2012, Reyes would have been an injury risk they couldn’t afford, no matter how popular he was with the dwindling fan base. It is team...

It is both incredible and disheartening to me how such a solid, promising ballclub has fallen to such a lowly state. A mere five seasons ago right now we all spoke of how bright the future is for the Mets; how we could be looking at a dynasty. Unfortunately, fast forward to the present, and we see a dynasty that never happened. Following their defeat in one the most exciting postseason series...

Friends, there is no joy in Metville today. The prevailing emotion I fee is sadness. I’m sure in the coming days it will be boiling anger. However, losing Reyes-that seemed inevitable, is still shocking. As long as there was a glimmer of hope. He leaves after nine years of thrills that commenced as a young colt of 19. Conversely, he will spend his prime years as the enemy. That alone is...