He is a must-sign this offseason because of how he performs in big games. The Mets should give Rick Reed his $18 million over three years this offseason because they plan on playing many more big games over this time. When the spotlight’s glare is its brightest, you want Reed on the mound; especially against the Braves.

In July, the Mets lost two of three to the Braves at Turner Field. The one game they won was a 4-0 decision in which Reed threw seven shutout innings. His ERA in ’99 against the Braves was 1.46 in two games; one a win and one a no-decision.

“It’s all the same,” said Reed, a free agent at the end of the year, who starts tonight. “I’ve always been that way. I’m just laid-back.”

Reed’s demeanor is perfect for this market and the big games. Reed doesn’t become overwhelmed by the moment. He treats the games like any other. It sounds like a cliche, but it is effective. His personality is more even than the No. 2.

“I don’t know if it’s personality, it’s talent,” manager Bobby Valentine said. “When he is hitting his spots and mixing his pitches, he is tough to hit, regardless of the game.

“In big games, his personality, I guess, is what keeps his pitches in the strike zone and keeps his tempo. And it is the tempo that makes him the most effective.”

Reed’s style is a simple formula that many successful pitchers use. He gets ahead, which allows him to be in control.

“He throws pitcher’s pitches,” pitching coach Dave Wallace.

Reed was hurt the last time the Braves came to Shea. In the first game of the Rocker Circus series, Reed took a liner off his left wrist. He also suffered a strained left calf that night and fractured his wrist, which forced him to the disabled list.

Reed picked up his year after returning from the disabled list. The improved stuff has made him a must-sign in the offseason.

“When you start off pitching, it’s consistency,” Reed said. “It took some time and now I’m right where I need to be.”

But it is his demeanor which helps him so much in big games. Listen to what happens to guys when they speak about having a bad start in a big game. They always say they were too pumped up, overly excited about the start. Reed never has this reaction.

“He’s the same guy every day,” said Turk Wendell of his best friend, who is 10-4 with a 4.24 ERA.

The two have formed quite a bond with their common interests, including hunting. This is how their friendship developed and Wendell knows a different side of Reed than others. The two have also gotten to know each other because they are seen together running long distances before many of the Mets’ games.

The 35-year-old Reed has a very good, dry sense of humor.

“I’ve heard people classify it as dull,” said Wendell about Reed’s personality.

The hunting club has added a new member as Reed, Wendell and Rick White, the new reliever, have scheduled an offseason trip to Saskatchewan.

“It takes time to know him,” Wendell said. “We have a lot of common interests so we’ve gotten to know each other a lot better. A lot of guys on the team don’t know him the way I know him. I’m sure Johnny Franco knows [Mike] Piazza better than I know Piazza.

“You can’t be best friends with everybody on the team.”

Wendell knows how Reed reacts to big games and to regular games – it’s the same Reeder, as Wendell refers to him.