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2009
If Reyes Isn’t Ready In 2010; Here’s My Backup Plan
An article by 
As Ed Leyro blogged yesterday, Jose Reyes, who has been out since May, has torn his right hamstring while working out on Tuesday. He was already trying to recover from a torn hamstring tendon, for which surgery appeared increasingly likely. Now, the new injury only complicates the situation and raises questions about whether Jose Reyes will be ready to play again by opening day. Much of the speculation suggests that Reyes could potentially miss a significant portion of next season, and there are questions that his biggest asset, his speed, may never be the same again. The Mets disclosed the new information after Reyes was examined Wednesday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.
As if all this information isn’t bleak enough, the Mets have suffered through a season long string of futility from those who have stepped in during Reyes’ absence.
Alex Cora, Fernando Tatis, Anderson Hernandez, Ramon Martinez, Wilson Valdez and Argenis Reyes have all taken a stab at playing shortstop this season, but none of them did anything to really distinguish themselves.
Let’s all agree that Argenis Reyes, Ramon Martinez and Anderson Hernandez shouldn’t even be considered options for next season. I believe it’s also safe to assume that Fernando Tatis will not be back unless he takes a significant pay cut.
That leaves us with Cora and Valdez who both fall short as everyday players in my opinion. Of the two, the only one I would even bring back is Alex Cora as a backup, mostly because of his intangibles and the positive presence he brings to the dugout.
Some of my esteemed fellow Mets bloggers are advocating bringing back Wilson Valdez instead of Cora here and here, but I strongly disagree. The case for Valdez is based on too small a sample size and the fact is that he’s 31 years old and has amassed barely 340 at-bats in his major league career, hitting an anemic .225 with a .275 on-base percentage. Those are the facts, and anything else is purely speculative.
That said, it’s plain to see how slim the pickings are for the Mets at shortstop. If the Mets were to require 200 at-bats from either Cora or Valdez before the All Star break it could spell doom for the 2010 season.
The Mets cannot afford to make the same mistakes they made this season in 2010. They cannot bankroll their season on the uncertain returns of key players. The Mets blew it by not sending Jose Reyes for surgery in June. They blew it again in July, and again in August, and again in September. Their handling of Jose Reyes has been an unprecedented disaster on so many levels.
With his 2010 season now as cloudy as the Mets decision making process, I urge Omar Minaya to error on the side of caution and go out and sign a capable replacement for Reyes and not subject the fanbase to another comedy of errors at shortstop.
Some of the shortstops that are heading toward free agency this winter include: Orlando Cabrera, Bobby Crosby, Miguel Tejada, Jack Wilson, and finally one other who I think will fill the bill and fit perfectly on the Mets…
Consider former Mets farmhand, Marco Scutaro, currently of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Scutaro has had a solid season for the Blue Jays scoring his 100th run last night, and he has done so for the rock bottom price of $1.1 million dollars. Compare that to Fernando Tatis at $1.7 MM or Cora at $2.25 MM.
I love the power spike Scutaro has enjoyed this season and he has some good speed too as evidenced by his 12 stolen bases this season. Another offensive achievement worth noting is his 35 doubles which would seemingly play well at Citi Field.
The right handed Scutaro has also played second base, third base and left field in his career. This is important to note because upon the return of Jose Reyes, whenever that will be, he can easily slide into leftfield or slide over to second base. He would give the Mets an enormous amount of versatility.
Obviously, the Mets have many areas they need to focus on this off season, but I believe Scutaro would go a long way toward easing the concerns of the shortstop position, while potentially giving the Mets the option of moving Castillo if they so choose once Reyes proves he is healthy, and he also provides the team with an insurance plan at third base, as well as another option for leftfield.
The most appealing part is that Scutaro may even be one of the lower cost options out there for the Mets this off season. Considering we shelled out $4 million dollars for Tatis and Cora, wouldn’t Scutaro be a tremendous addition if the Mets were to approach him with a 2-year offer at $5-6 million dollars?
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
Went to my first Mets game, a Mayors Trophy game at Shea, in '73. We beat the Yankees 8-4 and I was hooked. I marched in two Banner Day parades, and before the Grand Slam single, there was the "Hendu Can Do" grand slam - I was there. I've collected Mets memorabilia all my life and started Mets Merized Online to feed my addiction.
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationals | 26 | 18 | .591 | - |
| Braves | 26 | 20 | .565 | 1.0 |
| Mets | 24 | 21 | .533 | 2.5 |
| Marlins | 24 | 21 | .533 | 2.5 |
| Phillies | 23 | 23 | .500 | 4.0 |
Last updated: 05/25/2012
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Versatility and consistancy, good choice Joe….we are in dire need of those…and it seems this guy could help….however, it’s all speculation until someone, ANYONE speaks from the front office….
I’m all for using facts to make a case for or against players, as was sorta done with Valdez. But why wasn’t the same done for Cora? No mention of his batting average, OBP or SLG this year? Or his fielding? Only a mention of his intangibles, which, by definition, are subjective and not factual. Cora can’t hit or field. Valdez can’t hit but can field at a high level, and is a lot cheaper. Those are some facts.
Here’s to another year of Alex Cora’s leadership and 67 wins in 2010.
James, I think both are poor options, especially if they are forced into regular duty as I wrote.
Just as you refer to Francoeur’s hot streak (your words) as a small sample size to say he’s elevated his performance, Valdez’s sample size is less than half that of Francoeur’s.
So all we really have to look at is his career body of work which is pretty poor even by your standards. As for his fielding, again too small a sample size. Didn’t he just blow a win for the Mets in the Nats series with a throwing error?
Neither of these guys is worth the debate. The Mets need to find a solid addition to the lineup if there is ANY chance Reyes could miss the start of the season.
By the way, I totally acknowledge Cora sucks as a hitter, just as Valdez, but given the choice I’d take Cora simply because he was a positive influence, was willing to play with torn ligaments in his thumbs, and exhibited solid fundamentals unlike most of his teammates. My preference though is that we bring back neither.
As for Scutaro, thoughts?
Joe, I didn’t write in my piece that Valdez’s small sample size hitting performance is reason to keep him. I know he’s not a good hitter. I doubt you even read my piece but that’s fine.
Valdez didn’t blow the Nats game with a throwing error, that was Anderson Hernandez. Valdez is an outstanding fielder, and it’s not “small sample size”. He’s played 800 big league innings at SS and if you prorate his performance to a full season he’d be one of the best, if not the best, defensive shortstops in baseball. Cora has been serviceable defensively in the past but was pretty awful this year.
Obviously it’s not the difference between 95 wins and 85 wins (I hate when people say stuff like that) but Valdez has been more valuable than Cora this year, whether you believe it or not, and would cost $1-$1.5 million less than Cora. Put that $$ towards a good player, not Alex Cora.
Agreed, given their difference in salary, Valdez is the better choice of the two.
But that’s not what you wrote in this piece. You said forget Valdez, let’s get Cora because of intangibles. You “strongly disagreed” with bringing back Valdez over Cora. I’m quite confused.
Are you seriously arguing over keeping one of these two? You gotta be kidding me.
I’d actually move Luis Castillo and give second base to this guy. Look at his OBP, he’d be perfect in the two hole. We can trade Castillo for a 2B/SS utility player who’s better than Cora or Valdez, both of whom have nothing to offer offensively or defensively. With a healthy Reyes, the Mets would have a nice 1-6 in the lineup.
I couldn’t agree more.
The most glaring reason for his newfound success is his improved walk rate. As long as that rate is sustainable, then this career year won’t turn out to have just been a fluke.
Even if Reyes is healthy, Scutaro makes more sense than Cora.
Is reyes finally a #3 hitter?
If there’s any year to try it, it might as well be the year after multiple leg injuries.
Scutaro is solid and would make a good add for the Mets and, most importantly, at an affordable price. He actually compares fairly well to DeRosa, with more speed and better BA but with less power. Both are versatile. Scutaro would fill a need on this team at a low price.
Scaturo has flown under the radar this season and has compiled some impressive stats along the way. As for Cora, Ahern and Valdez, get rid of them all and clean house.
[...] D of Mets Merized Online looks at the market for free-agent shortstops, in the wake of Jose Reyes’s looming surgery, and [...]
Even if Reyes was healthy Scutaro makes sense.Also Barajas behind the plate.
If Scutaro is willing to take a Met friendly contract coming off a good year plus knowing that Mets are hurting at SS then I would take him in an instant over both Cora and Valdez but I would try and find a way to bring Cora back for his baseball smarts and clubhouse influence. But, will Scutaro come to Mets and accept a part-time role considering what a year he just had? Just talking out loud.