MLB

5 questions for … Jim Duquette

Sirius/XM host and former Mets general manager Jim Duquette breaks down baseball’s hot-stove season, from Jose Reyes to CC Sabathia, with The Post’s Justin Terranova.

Q: How important is it for the Mets to re-sign Jose Reyes?

A: You already know what type of player he is and that he can play in New York. So, if there’s an added value, I’m not saying you grossly overpay for him, but that has to be part of your evaluation. That is a major reason he has to be option 1, 1A and 1B for the Mets. Because his replacement, you just have no idea whether he can handle it or not. They still have a legitimate shot, and if it’s close with money and years, he would prefer to stay with the Mets.

Q: Could CC Sabathia end up anywhere but with the Yankees?

A: I don’t think so with the dollars we are talking about. The Red Sox are the one you never know. They may try and run the price up on them, but I think he stays with the Yankees. Last year, the Yankees wanted Cliff Lee, but I don’t think they needed him. That’s not the case with CC. They don’t have anyone else to go on the top of the rotation.

Q: Do you think Jorge Posada has played his last game?

A: There will be teams interested, but I just wonder if he has the desire and if he wants to play for another team. And I would be shocked if he came back to the Yankees. It’s difficult for me to picture him wearing another uniform. I just can’t imagine Posada choosing to put on another uniform. And I still like his bat; there’s still something left in there.

Q: Is Albert Pujols staying in St. Louis, Prince Fielder in Milwaukee?

A: I expect Pujols to stay. There’s a comfort factor and protection level that Albert has in St. Louis that he won’t have anywhere else. I think they’d be willing to go over $200 million, and I don’t know if anyone else would. With Fielder, there’s a 5 percent chance he returns to Milwaukee. The feeling within the organization is that if he didn’t have Scott Boras as his representative then they would’ve worked out a deal because he feels comfortable there. But when you have Scott you are sending a message that you want to push the envelope and make as much money as possible. The Brewers are pretty realistic about that, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he showed up as a Cub.

Q: Will the Red Sox regret letting Theo Epstein go?

A: They did promote a very capable guy in Ben Cherington, but when you have a GM that has had the degree of success that Theo has had it’s hard to duplicate. I feel the same way about (Brian) Cashman. When you have someone like that, you do what you can to keep him there. I don’t know all the details yet, but a guy like that you lock the doors and don’t let him leave till you have a deal.