30-Game Positional System Update: - SS

In Queens: 27-year old Jose Reyes is the Mets shortstop. On 8-3-06, Reyes signed a $23.250mil 4-year contract with the Mets, which runs through the 2011 season. The 2011 salary will be $11mil, but the Mets have a 500K option to cut fish.

AAA: a 20-year of version of Reyes, Ruben Tejada (.309) is the everyday shortstop, which returns him to his natural position. He also leads the league with the best fielding percentage.

AA: Luis Hernandez (.299) is your everyday shortstop. Hernandez has been around and is not considered a prospect.

A+: 19-year old prospect Wilfredo Tovar was called up a few weeks ago when Matt Bouchard and Luis Nieves hit the DL… so far, he’s hitting .368/.400/.474/.874.

A: The Mets top prospect, 19-year old Wilmer Flores (.333/.381/.574/.955) is dominating the Sally League. What’s especially exciting is his increases power… he already has more home runs this season (5) than all of last year.

Extended Camp: Nieves, Miquel Tejada, and Ryan Mollica

Disabled List: Robbie Shields and Matt Bouchard.

2010 Outlook: There is no question that Reyes will remain the starting shortstop for the 2010 season.

2011 and Beyond Outlook: This is where it gets interesting.

First of all, don’t spend any time thinking that Flores will play short someday in Queens. He projects out as an outfielder and is penciled in as the starting right fielder in the 2013 season. That doesn’t mean he won’t get there earlier, but that’s the current plan. Flores is something special and has the potential to be a retired Met number someday.

No, the Mets shortstop for the period of 2011-2015 is either Reyes or Tejada, and frankly, it’s a toss-up right now who wins this. My guess is Reyes will be resigned, especially after we all now realize how different this team plays when he’s in the lineup every day. There are a lot of reasons for the Mets’ April success, but none bigger than Reyes’ presence. Yes, we all hope he does more this season, but Reyes is the heart tof the Mets.

On the other hand, Tejada is no longer playing second base, which tells me that he is the main dish in a package deal sometime around the all-star break. Forget his lack of age… he hit all kinds of ST pitching, at the same age that Reyes made it to the Bigs. You can’t hold this kid back, but there’s no way both he and Reyes will play on the same team.

At this point, Tovar is just a pleasant surprise.

On The Bubble:

Bouchard, who may never get back in the Lucy lineup.

Overall Organizational Rating:

A