In 2004, the Mets called up David Wright to play alongside Jose Reyes.  At that moment, everyone imagined the pair winning World Series titles, having their numbers retired, and joining one another again in Cooperstown.  As it would turn it, they couldn’t spend their careers playing alongside one another.  With the Mets financial troubles, the Mets had to choose between the two.

Reyes had been in the Mets organization since he signed as a 16 year old out of the Dominican Republic.  During his tenure with the Mets, he was the team’s sparkplug.  He energized the players on the field, and he energized the fans in the stands.  He was the team’s single season and all-time leader in stolen bases.  He was the all-time leader in triples.  His speed on the basepaths was only matched by the speed in which he threw the ball.  He was the greatest shortstop in Mets history.

He also played alongside the greatest third baseman in Mets history.  Wright was the lifelong Mets fan who was the MVP type talent.  He was a Gold Glove third baseman and a 30/30 man.    He was the player the Mets seemed to be grooming to become the face of the franchise.  In many ways, Wright was the chosen one.  It should come as no surprise that with Reyes’ free agency in 2011, the Mets picked Wright over Reyes.

From that point forward, it was a difficult road for both.

Reyes initially signed with the Marlins only to be traded away one season later to the Blue Jays.  During his time on the unforgiving turf of the Rogers Centre, Reyes would not only suffer injuries, but he would also lose a step or two.  For the first two years, the Blue Jays underachieved.  They were unable to make a real push for the postseason.  When they were finally able to do so in 2015, the Blue Jays traded him away for Troy Tulowitzki.  Reyes was with the Rockies for a last place club.  In that offseason, he would be charged with domestic violence.  Heading into this season, he would be suspended for 51 games and released by the Rockies.

Wright had his own problems when he was apart from Reyes.  He had troubles with Citi Field like most of the Mets hitters did under the original constructs of the outfield walls.  Since the Mets moved to Citi Field, Wright seemingly alternated between healthy and injury prone seasons.  He alternated between an All Star caliber player and an average third baseman.  All the while, the Mets were a sub-.500 team that were going nowhere fast.  It was discovered in 2015 that Wright suffered spinal stenosis.  He would return to be able to play in the World Series and be the Mets 2016 Opening Day third baseman, but he was no longer the same player.  This year, Wright’s body would break down yet again with him requiring a discectomy and cervical fusion.  He was all but gone for the season.  The Mets were left in a lurch as they needed a third baseman.

With the Mets in need of a third baseman and Reyes in need of a job, the two came together to give Reyes a chance at redemption.  In order to make room for Reyes on the 40 man roster, the Mets moved Wright to the 60 day disabled list. Wright and Reyes still aren’t united as both will not take the field aside one another like we all assumed they would do in 2004.  Amazingly, Reyes has become Wright’s replacement not just at third base, but also on the roster as Wright was placed on the 60 day disabled list to make room for Reyes.

This was the second time the Mets had to sacrifice one to make room for the other.  It was never supposed to be this way.  They were supposed to be on the same team for their entire careers.  They were supposed to be side-by-side from 2004 until their induction in Cooperstown.  It hasn’t worked out that way.  In fact, they may never play alongside each other ever again.