12
2011
Reyes Is Ready To Wreak Havoc In 2011
An article by 
In an article in today’s New York Post, Mike Puma writes about Jose Reyes and his desire to return to his pre-2009 self. Reyes, who made a public appearance in Harlem yesterday, declared himself healthy and ready to report a week early to Spring Training.
With words that are sure to please even the most pessimistic Mets fans, Reyes was quoted as saying:
“Last year there were some questions about my legs. I spent all last year and the winter helping my legs. This year I don’t have to worry about my legs or anything like that. The last two years have been kind of rough on me, but there is no doubt in my mind I’m going to be the same Jose Reyes that played in 2008. I’ve been working so hard this offseason, so there is no concern at all.”
In addition to his declaration, Reyes announced that he will arrive at Port St. Lucie at 205 pounds, which is seven pounds heavier than his 2010 playing weight. Whether the extra weight will help him around the bases is yet to be seen (Red Sox speedster Carl Crawford is an inch taller than Reyes, but weighs 215), but a healthy Reyes is crucial to the Mets’ success in 2011.
In 2010, Reyes played in 133 games, battling injuries throughout the year. Reyes’ 30 steals represented his lowest total over a season in which he played at least 100 games, after averaging 65 stolen bases per year from 2005 to 2008.
It always comes down to health with the New York Mets. Will Jason Bay come back from his concussion to post the power numbers expected of him? Will Carlos Beltran be able to play at more than 85% for a full season? Will Johan Santana’s changeup be effective when he finally returns to the mound? As with those players, the same can be said for Jose Reyes.
Reyes is the catalyst from which all else follows. As Reyes goes, so go the Mets. SNY feeds us the numbers ad nauseum. Whether it’s the Mets’ record in games where Jose Reyes scores at least one run (the team was 42-22 in 2010 when Reyes crossed the plate at least once, in case you didn’t know) or their record without Reyes in the lineup (they’re 65-90 without Reyes since the beginning of 2009), it’s clear that the Mets need their shortstop and leadoff hitter to be Jose Reyes B.C. (Before Citi).
With all the recent talk about lawsuits and the search for ownership partners, perhaps Jose Reyes uttered the four words that could put an end, albeit a temporary one, to all the turmoil surrounding the team, when he said:
“I’ve recovered my speed.”
A one-two punch of Jose Reyes and Angel Pagan at the top of the order could prove to be quite a headache for opposing pitchers. In 2010, they became only the ninth pair of teammates to steal 30 or more bases in the same season, as Reyes swiped 30 bases and Pagan stole 37.
Look out, Mets fans. It appears as if Jose Reyes is ready for the 2011 season and the rest of the National League should take notice. Opening Day can’t get here soon enough.
About the Author: Ed Leyro
Ed Leyro was hatched in the Bronx, but spent most of his youth in Queens at Shea Stadium. Apparently, all that time spent at Mets games paid off as Ed met his wife (The Coop) for the first time at Citi Field during its inaugural season. Guess the 2009 season was good for something after all. In addition to his work at Mets Merized Online, Ed also owns, operates and is head janitor at Studious Metsimus, where he shares blogging duties with Joey Beartran. For those not in the know, Joey is a teddy bear dressed in a Mets hoodie. Clearly, Studious Metsimus is not your typical Mets blog.
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Yes, Reyes & Pagan 1-2 @ the top would be quite disruptive if both are healthy & productive. Too bad that it’s probably a one and done deal with Reyes likely gone after 2011 due to the Wilpon / Madoff disaster. People complain about Jose’s OBP but if he hits around .280-290 with his usual 185-195 hits he’ll be on base plenty enough to be one of the top ignitors in the NL this year. Jose is Jose and people need to accept his few flaws because in his case the positives really do outweigh the negatives. I just wish there was a way the Mets could afford to keep him past this season. Thanks Fred, Jeff, and Saul!
I don’t think you can count his thyroid problem as an injury. So he really only had the oblique issue, that IIRC he got during the debacle in P.R. at about mid-season.
It is an injury but not something you can hold against Reyes since it is not something that is conditioning or muscle related. Technically it is more of a condition than an injury just as diabetes would be.
So your correct you can’t really say Reyes could have prevented the thyroid condition.
I think Jose Reyes/Angel Pagan at the top of the order will be nastier than people expect! I think Angle is going to continue to get better too. They do have to work it smart though and if the manager has to give them steal signs when necessary to push this tandem along then do it. Those 2 can be a good weapon at the top but I would not let them operate completely on their own in the beginning, until i get a handle on how they work together at bat and on the bases.
as long as Pagan never sacrifices Jose over in the 1st inning, it will be an improvement over Jerry ball.
Well there are still some question as to if last year was Pagan’s Career year or him finailly taking a step to the next level.
He has to maintain what he did last year or he will quickly be dropped down to 8th in the order which would still take advantage of his speed but leave him out of the speed semantics we might play at the top of the order.
Jose equal big, really big, bigger then just big.
Wait and see how big he will be.
It will be amazingly big.
I hope reyes does well and I hope he does well enough to re-sign him. But even if he does that, his being here is going to depend as much on what everyone else does as much as his own personal numbers.
Cause there is no sense in building around a 100 Mil player if the rest of the team is sold off for prospects.
I love Reyes! I will miss him when he is gone.
he’s not gone yet. so keep the faith!
I’m trying. Hopefully the Wilpons will sell and the Mets will be funded by ownership that actually has financial stability and isn’t being sued for 9 figures.
I agree with you. That is the factor that dominates over all others. We need an ownership that is unencumbered by financial questions and uncertaintly. In order to have a consistent strategy that leads to success on the field, a new ownership team without any Wilpon presence is required as the first priority.
Jose’ is certainly one of the main uncertainties that needs to be resolved if the Mets are to have any degree of success on the field. He needs to demonstrate that his health is restored and he is able to play at his traditional level of excellence. But right behind him are many other player questions that will determine the fate of this season. Will Beltan and Bay also be able to perform at prior levels? Who will play 2B? Will David reassert himself, especially in clutch situations? Will Davis and Thole avoid sophomore downturns? On the field, only Angel Pagan seems to be free of questions and appears set for a very good year. On the pitching side, will the starting rotation gel into a coherent entity? Will Johan return in peak form? Will the bullpen provide a functional and effective role, especially with the cloud hanging over KRod and all the unknowns of the new crew that has been introduced to us? There are certainly enough questions and uncertainties through this entire team. I truly hope these areas are resolved favorably, but it is unlikely all these questions have positive response. Then the final question appears: it is whether Sandy Alderson is able to prepare for the unknowns with meaningful backup plans and the freedom and funding to execute them? There is much to witness in 2011 for the Met fan. Hopefully we end the season on a new uptrend with hope for the future. LGM!