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By Jon Paul Hoornstra
Contributing Sports Writer
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Jose Reyes didn't even need words to send a powerful message that every New York Mets fan could understand.
More news: Mets Lose Star Free Agent to Orioles on Massive $155 Million Deal: Reports
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The Mets' four-time All-Star, who played in Queens from 2003-11 and 2016-18, took to his Twitter/X account Wednesday to post a single sad emoji.
Reyes spoke for every Mets fan who was upset to see three fan favorites find new teams in less than a month.
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The Mets traded long-tenured outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers for second baseman Marcus Semien in November. Tuesday, it was reported that All-Star closer Edwin Diaz was leaving New York in free agency to sign a three-year, $69 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
More news: Mets Lose Free Agent Pitcher to Padres
Wednesday, the final blow arrived: free agent first baseman Pete Alonso had agreed to a five-year, $155 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles.
Even if the Mets are able to improve on their 83-79 record next season and return to the playoffs, that's a lot of familiar faces to lose in a short time period.
More news: Mets Lose All-Star Outfielder to AL East Club in Free Agency
While pundits use the next few days to honor the tradition of picking the "winners" and "losers" of the Winter Meetings, perhaps no group lost more than Mets fans.
The Mets were also reportedly in pursuit of slugger Kyle Schwarber before he ultimately returned to the Philadelphia Phillies on a five-year, $150 million contract.
As free agents go, Schwarber would have been the most logical replacement for Alonso — to whom the Mets reportedly didn't even extend an offer. Schwarber has hit 268 home runs since 2019, second in MLB. Alonso has hit 264.
You don't have to be a retired player to get the sense the Mets swung and missed at the Winter Meetings; in Reyes' case, at least it didn't hurt.
Reyes wasn't the only Mets All-Star contemplating the effects of a lineup without Alonso.
"You've now paid — unless you get a bat — Juan Soto to walk 150 times a year," former Mets pitcher and current broadcaster Ron Darling said on MLB Network on Wednesday. "That's what you've done."
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