May
23
2011

Could Justin Turner Replace Jose Reyes?

An article by Robert Knapel

Fans, writers, and teams tend to get overly excited when a player gets off to a fast start. This exact thing has happened with Justin Turner. He has been on fire since his first appearance this year on April 19^th against the Houston Astros.

In 21 games, Turner has hit .333 with a .492 SLG%. He also has 15 RBI and he set ht Mets rookie record with an RBI in seven consecutive games. Turner has looked pretty good defensively whether at second base or third. While he has not played at shortstop for the Mets this year, Turner has played there in the minors.

It seems like it may become an unfortunate reality that the Mets will trade Jose Reyes this year. If the team is not in contention, Reyes will be traded for prospects that can help the team in the future.

Obviously, replacing Reyes would be an impossible task. Ruben Tejada does not seem to be a long-term solution. The Mets don’t have any great options in the minors. Wilmer Flores is more destined to play in either a corner infield or outfield position. But, there is a chance that Turner can be the Mets next shortstop.

Turner is just 26 years old and could have a bright future with the Mets. He was a career .309 hitter in the minors and through his short time in the majors this year he has shown that he can hit major league pitching.

While Turner will never be a superstar like Reyes, he can be a solid everyday player. He has the potential to hit 10-15 home runs a year while hitting around .290.

With the way the Mets season has been going, it is time to think about the future. Turner should be part of that future and if Jose Reyes is not with the team next year, Turner’s future could be at shortstop.

About the Author: Robert Knapel

Robert is from New Jersey. He is currently pursuing Bachelors degrees in both Finance and International Business at Washington University in St. Louis. He has been a Mets fan for as long as he can remember. Robert also serves as an MLB Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.

10 Comments + Add Comment

Des May 23, 2011 at 7:34 am

I take it that this article was intended for the humor section. He might play the same position, but he won’t replace Jose.
- t agee May 23, 2011 at 8:46 am
  
  Hysterical. Turner at SS, simply hysterical. Maybe he could fill in at CF or C when we face LHP, set up and close and spot start on occasion.
  - Metsie May 23, 2011 at 9:33 am
    
    Same thing was said when Murphy was told to try playing 2B!
    - t agee May 23, 2011 at 2:21 pm
      
      Metsie if Turner could play SS he would at the very least have been a backup MIer in the Majors the last few years if not an outright replacement of some of the dinosaurs playing there now or their good field no hit brethren.
      
      Turner at most can be an emergency SS or give Reyes a day off 6 times a year. That’s the extent of it and even that’s pushing it.
- vinnie papandrea May 23, 2011 at 9:51 am
  
  Has any one been watching Turner play 2nd base. While he looks like he has a future with the bat, he barely can make it to 1st with his throws from 2nd how is he going to play SS,
Dennis Ribant May 23, 2011 at 7:52 am

Turner is “just 26″ and can be a solid guy but Tejada has no future because after all he’s 21, and must have reached his full potential. did you ever see Turner field a ball at Shortstop? Does he look like a major leaguer there? You don’t have a clue. He’s barely adequate and third and average at 2nd but you want him at SS!!!!! It seems the people who love Alderson can’t wait for the day Reyes is gone. Well guess what, you’ll all be crying when you see what this team does the next several years without him. Dream about Turner because of his whole 21 games all you want. Come back when the league has a new pitching book on him and tell us how good he is then.
- NYMetsfan May 23, 2011 at 7:57 am
  
  “It seems the people who love Alderson can’t wait for the day Reyes is gone.”
  
  More fabricated crap by Ribant – do you write fantasy books as a living?
Dennis Ribant May 23, 2011 at 7:54 am

PS: The guy you can’t wait to dump is allof a year older than your Turner. Soi I guess next year you will want to dump Turner. Poor Jose he will feel loved next year when he plays for a fan base that appreciates talent instead of hating it.
MetsMan86 May 23, 2011 at 8:19 am

No. Not even close.
Metstheory22 May 23, 2011 at 8:48 am

NOOOOOOOO

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