I May Be Wrong, But… .

1. The Mets picked up a potential 100-mph closer this week without even trying. The Washington Nationals returned RP Elvin Ramirez, who they had plucked away in the last Rule 5 draft. Ramirez had visa problems all year and continued with durability questions. I knew him when he was in Savannah, throwing a 94 fastball, with sick sink. That pitch is now hitting 100. He’s always had control problems with far too many walks, but he’s still young and at least this 100-mph pitch isn’t straight as an arrow. He will go right back into the 40-50 range on The Keepers.

2. The World Series is about to start, which means it’s also close to ending. After that, it’s free agent time. Let’s take another look at where the 2012 Mets stand going into this time:

Guaranteed Contracts - Johan Santana, SP: $55MM through 2013, unless 2014 option becomes player choice Jason Bay, LF: $35MM through 2013, unless 2014 option vests David Wright, 3B: $16MM through 2012; Wright may void 2013 club option if traded R.A. Dickey, SP: $4.55MM through 2012 D.J. Carrasco, RP: $1.2MM through 2012 Tim Byrdak, RP: signed through 2012

Arbitration Eligible Players (estimated salaries) - Manny Acosta, RP: $1MM Mike Pelfrey, SP: $5.9MM Ronny Paulino, C:, $1.5MM (non-tender candidate) Angel Pagan, CF: $4.7MM (non-tender candidate) Taylor Buchholz, RP: $1.2MM (non-tender candidate)

Free Agents - Jose Reyes (Type A SS), Ryota Igarashi (unranked RP), Chris Capuano (unranked SP), Scott Hairston (unranked OF), Chris Young (unranked SP), Willie Harris (unranked IF/OF), Miguel Batista (unranked RP), Jason Isringhausen (unranked RP)

3. Before you all get excited now, calm down. There isn’t going much that happens in the off season for the Mets. The main issue remains Jose Reyes and telling his agent up front what you will pay him only gives that agent the trump card to get more from some other club. This is a business and I was a businessman for over 30 years. Some other team will offer Jose more than the Mets will. It’s up to Jose what Jose does.

4. Continuing on that theme, I go back and forth on Reyes. I’m now convinced he’s a goner and the future of the Mets will be best served if he leaves. Staying means the Mets will have a better 2012 and 2013 team, which means, in that division, they’ll come in third both seasons. Moving Ruben Tejada to SS, getting two top 40 draft picks, and clearing salary for the 2013 free agency market seems to me to be tantamount to success.

5. I’m sure Sandy and Company has two plans. One, if they sign Reyes with somebody in the first 14 days of free agency, and second, if he remains available after that. You just can’t sit around and let everybody else gets signed while you wait until your cupboard is robbed. Still, there will be no Big Papi, Puljois, or Prince wearing a Mets uniform. Look for a fifth starter (Young?), a quick-fix outfielder, and 2-3 new relievers. Sorry folks. That should do it.