MLB

Re-signing Reyes must be job one for Mets

The baseball gods must be punishing the Mets for Mookie Wilson’s roller through Bill Buckner’s legs. With the Wilpon-Madoff financial tragedy hanging thick above them, a personal tragedy attacked their best player, their shining star in the dark constellation, arguably the most exciting player in the game. Just like that, faster than you can say Reyesslidesintothirdwithanothertriple, Jose Reyes was gone, out the door before the Mets faced the Pirates last night, on his way home to the Dominican Republic after learning his father’s mother, Maria Trinidad, had passed away, and placed on the bereavement list for three to seven days.

For the franchise that gave us Ya Gotta Believe, it is now Ya Gotta Bereave, in every possible way.

And so the first glimpse of Life Without Reyes was on display last night, with Ruben Tejada at shortstop and Willie Harris at leadoff until tonight, when Angel Pagan gets his turn at the top of the order. The Mets emerged with a 7-3 victory on this night, but it isn’t a life any Mets fan wants to live long-term. “Another right hook to the jaw” is what Terry Collins called it. “This is a huge loss for us. It’s pretty hard to replace a guy that can do the things Jose does on a daily basis.”

Most everyone in baseball would agree with that. But as we all know, The Reyes Dilemma has a disconcerting fiscal responsibility element to it for 200 million reasons, and maybe even a billion reasons if Irving Picard gets his way. To be, or not to be a Met? That is the question. How do you calculate what Jose Reyes is worth to this franchise? A franchise that has not won a championship in 25 years? A franchise that has been bleeding cash? A franchise desperate for star power to fill the growing number of empty seats?

This is what new minority partner/Metsiah David Einhorn, in the house again last night, said on his introductory conference call last week about general manager Sandy Alderson, who began his Memorial Day on the Intrepid for the wreath ceremony and ended it on the Titanic docked in Flushing Bay: “I think he’s fantastic. As long as we stay under his leadership and management, the Mets will end up in a good direction.” It doesn’t mean this isn’t an agonizing, crossroads decision for Alderson that requires much soul-searching. So please allow me to be of assistance.

Since Mario Cuomo is currently busy as mediator between Team Wilpon and Team Picard, I will serve as mediator between Team Murphy’s Law and Team Reyes.

Let the mediation begin:

The case against keeping Reyes is termed CARL CRAWFORD MONEY. Let’s face it, Carl Crawford isn’t worth Carl Crawford money (seven years, $142 million). But sometimes it pays to be in the right place at the right time. Reyes may be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The case for keeping Reyes at all costs is he is a better player than Crawford, and two years younger. Even Fred Wilpon might concede Reyes has ascended to superstar status.

Let us use Derek Jeter’s 10-year, $189 million contract as a guideline. Jeter was five months shy of his 27th birthday when he signed it in 2001. Of course, four of Jeter’s fingers had already been covered by rings at that point. Reyes’ fingers remain bare. No reasonable mind would sign Reyes to a 10-year deal. Because he is so dependent on his legs, I would resist signing him to a seven-year deal.

But again, who thought Crawford would mean more to the Red Sox last year than Jeter meant to George Steinbrenner a decade ago?

Then again, it takes two to tango. If Pedro Martinez could offer the Red Sox a hometown discount in 2004 and accept less than a 40-year-old Randy Johnson, then Reyes, if he loves New York so much, should offer the Mets a hometown discount.

Alderson must deal Carlos Beltran ($18.5 million this year) and Francisco Rodriguez ($17.5 million next year) before the trade deadline. If Alderson is proven correct that the payroll won’t have to sink too far below $120 million next season, there is no excuse not to keep Reyes.

One other factor: the Mets right now need Reyes more than Reyes needs the Mets.

David Weisman, clad in an orange Reyes jersey, said: “That would be very painful to watch him leave . . . no one wants Reyes to go.”

Reyes ($11 million this year) isn’t the young Jeter. He’s better than Crawford. Who committed highway robbery. He’s better than the Jeter who just signed his three-year, $51 million contract.

Four years, $80 million.

Or five years, $94.5 million.

An offer both sides can’t refuse.

steve.serby@nypost.com