Jose Reyes Keeping Track of R.A. Dickey, David Wright But Not Necessarily Rooting for Them

BOSTON — While it sometimes seemed like a foregone conclusion that the New York Mets wouldn't be able to keep Jose Reyes after a tumultuous few years where the team saw its money disappear to bad management and Bernie Madoff, fans were still heartbroken when Reyes left the team this offseason without so much as an offer from the club.

Reyes had expressed his love for New York, but the Mets were in no way equipped to keep him. Instead, they were destined for a few years of rebuilding, where they would likely lose other homegrown stars like David Wright.

The Marlins — division rivals in the National League East — picked up Reyes, and it looked like Miami was ready to ascend while New York sank to the conference cellar for a season or two.

But in a spring full of surprises, the Mets have been one of the unexpected contenders early, while Miami has very cold stretches to go along with its hot streaks.

That's led to some mixed feelings for Reyes.

"I'm happy for the guys who are doing good over there, but I'm not happy because they win a lot of ball games, because we are in the same division," he said. "I have to cheer for my team now, not for them."

Reyes said he has kept up with how his old teammates are doing — specifically Wright, who continues to lead New York at the plate with a .352 average, and R.A. Dickey, who is in the middle of one of the most dominating stretches of any pitcher ever despite being a 37-year-old knuckleballer.

"I feel good for the guys there, and I have a good relationship with a lot of the guys there," Reyes said. "[It's] good to see those guys perform the way [they can]. At the same time, I don't want to see them win a lot of ball games."

The Mets had a 37-32 record headed into Wednesday night's game while Miami was three games behind them at 33-34. Washington (38-27) and Atlanta (37-32) lead the division.