Alderson will wait and see on Reyes

Although the changes to Citi Field announced Monday are expected to be a major benefit for David Wright, Jose Reyes -- the Mets' other franchise player -- might be playing at the renovated ballpark in another uniform next year.

"I think what we concluded was that if there were any impact on Jose," Sandy Alderson said, "it would be that he'd probably have to slide more often at third."

The Mets' window of exclusivity with Reyes ends at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, and Alderson does not see anything happening with the free agent before then -- or in an expedient manner this offseason. Alderson seems to be in a wait-and-see mode after speaking with Reyes' agent, Peter Greenberg, earlier in October.

"I've got enough of a sense to know that things are going to go slowly," Alderson said. "I don't think Jose is going to give us a number for which he would forego free agency and I don't think we're in a position to make him what I would characterize as a pre-emptive offer. I think that has to do to some extent with the ambiguity of the market."

In other words, the Mets are going to see where the market for Reyes goes in the next month, and by the start of the winter meetings Dec. 5 in Dallas, they'll know if he's within reach. The team has had internal discussions about what the budget is for Reyes, but without knowing the market, it's impossible to determine if the Mets will have a legitimate shot to keep him.

Alderson said he expects at least one team to hand out a seven-year contract this offseason. With Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols joining Reyes in free agency, that's a safe bet, but it won't be the Mets. The GM is not concerned about the Reyes pursuit interfering with his other efforts to improve the team.

"A lot of these free-agent deals are made in December, even into January," Alderson said. "It's not like we're going to have to make a series of decisions in sequence. They don't quite work that way. It's not like we have an unlimited amount of money to spend. But at the same time, I don't think there are a lot of either/ors we have to face."

Alderson did give the impression that he intends to hold on to Wright despite the trade speculation that popped up toward the end of the season. When asked if Wright will be back, the GM hedged for a moment before answering his own question.

"I couldn't say that with any degree of certainty about any player that we have," Alderson said before adding, "do I think he'll be a Met next year? Yes."

As for the Mets' other needs this offseason, Alderson once again talked about the importance of upgrading the bullpen and adding a closer. He's more comfortable with the rotation and said it is "conceivable" the Mets could start the season with the same lineup they planned to use in 2011 before it was decimated by injuries.

Alderson also refused to say the Mets' future success is contingent on keeping Reyes.

"We're not going to punt 2012," Alderson said, "if Jose doesn't re-sign."