Here’s the situation: Rey Sanchez is the Mets’ shortstop. He’s hitting .129 and has no extra-base hits.

Here’s the question: Where in the world is Jose Reyes?

Sanchez was in the lineup again last night, and despite his obvious struggles and Reyes’ obvious talents, the Mets reiterated that there are no imminent plans for a change.

“It’s not just a need at the position, but what’s right for Jose,” GM Steve Phillips said. “We have to keep the big picture in mind. I just don’t think now is the right time.”

Through 17 games at Triple-A Norfolk, 19-year-old Reyes is batting .261 and owns a league-leading 13 steals (he hasn’t been caught yet). More impressive than his statistics, though, is his potential. Recently recalled OF Raul Gonzalez said Reyes is “like Alfonso Soriano [but] better defensively, probably.”

Then there’s Norfolk GM Dave Rosenfield.

“He can be a [Nomar] Garciaparra, except he runs better,” Rosenfield said via telephone. “He’s the real deal.

“He’s going to be a superstar. Just the way he goes about the game, it’s very exciting to watch a youngster who plays so hard. Every ball he hits, out of the box he’s going full speed, thinking extra-base hit.

“If this kid isn’t a star, I will be shocked.”

Rosenfield isn’t your average minor-league front-office honcho, either. The man’s been overseeing the Tides for 42 years.

Of course, Mets fans will hear these comparisons and scoff. They heard the same thing about David West. About Paul Wilson. About Alex Escobar. What did any of them do?

There’s one difference here.

“[Reyes] has got more ability,” Rosenfield said, laughing. “The only comparable prospect, position player-wise, that I’ve seen since 1969 is [Darryl] Strawberry.”

So while Mets director of scouting Gary LaRocque prefers to avoid comparisons – “he’ll make his own mark” – the fact remains that there is universal gushing for Reyes.

Rosenfield and Norfolk manager Bobby Floyd both agree that Reyes could use a little more time. And while Floyd raved about Reyes’ “cannon of an arm” and “ability to create runs” he also stressed that the kid needs to show better plate discipline.

But if there’s a concern that playing Reyes at Shea today could somehow hinder his performance tomorrow, forget it.

“Nothing’s going to stop him from being a good player,” Rosenfield said. “He’s so talented, whatever roadblocks there are, he can get around.”