3
2011
So, Where Do We Stand With Reyes?
An article by 
The Mets will make an offer for Jose Reyes this winter. Bet on it. He’s a core member of this team, which often wins when he’s on his game. However, making an offer and staying aren’t necessarily linked. And, the Einhorn deal falling through will have little bearing on the outcome.
How badly the Mets want to retain Reyes will be reflected in the dollar offer, which this spring was referred to as “Crawford money,” as in $142 million over seven years. At the time, Fred Wilpon said it wouldn’t happen, that something always happens to Reyes. Wilpon took heat for it at the time, but he was right.
Something has happened as in the form of two trips to the disabled list with hamstring injuries, critical for a speed player. The Mets need to be cautious with their offer to Reyes, even if there were no financial black clouds overhead. He’s a player who relies on legs that have been hurt. If it’s not the legs, it’s the oblique. It is always something.
The guy hasn’t stayed on the field for a complete season in three years and you know he’ll ask for at least five. Right now, that would be a risk.
The Mets might load up on the bucks and shorten up on the years. They could come in with $60 million over three years and if he proves healthy go through the process again. Or, maybe $80 million over four years. Even that’s a gamble for a team with as many questions as the Mets will face this winter.
Hometown discount? Probably not, even though the Mets did give him a long term deal early in his career when he desperately needed the money.
Both offers I listed are $20 million a season which is far from chump change. If Reyes likes New York as much as he says he does, he could consider going short and doing it again, and if he stays healthy, get another payday.
Both offers are enough for him and his family for generations, to live comfortable for the rest of their lives. The examples like Jered Weaver who ask “how much is enough?” are few and far between, and I don’t believe Reyes is one of those players.
The Mets will make an offer that would make him the highest-paid position player in franchise history and up there at his position with the likes of Derek Jeter, who has done it for 15 years. Their offer shouldn’t be classified as cheap considering Reyes’ issues, but will likely be rejected.
The contract won’t be what Reyes wants, but it will be more than what he needs. It’s all on him whether he stays.
Thoughts From Joe D.
From speaking to several people who have their finger on the pulse of this Reyes situation, everyone seems to agree that Reyes does want to remain in New York. What it really comes down to is if he’s willing to take a five year deal from the Mets to stay put, or take a six or seven year deal from another team and take the long term security. I get the feeling that Jose enjoys playing in an environment he knows and has called home for his entire professional career.
We all love Reyes and there’s no doubt that he is still a key component of this team’s offense. His two stints on the DL most certainly affected what he will ultimately get, but it also showed how stagnant the Mets offense was without his bat and his speed in the line-up. Since Reyes returned from the DL, the Mets are playing some inspired baseball again. Reyes also continues to lead the National League in batting.
One thing is certain and that is if the Mets do lose Reyes, it could take a couple of years to recover. Replacing a catalyst is never easy because there are too few of them to go around.
About the Author: John Delcos
I am an active member of the BBWAA and have covered Major League Baseball in several capacities for over 20 years, including ten in New York working the Mets' and Yankees' beat. I covered the Baltimore Orioles for eight years and the Cleveland Indians before that. I currently serve as an editor and senior staff writer for Mets Merized Online. Follow me on Twitter @jdelcos.
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Granted they play different positions, but does Jered Weaver’s contract have any impact on what Reyes could get, or we hope to see? 5 years, 90 million maybe?
not the $ or length. I thought that was just a comment about being th eonly guy that said it’s big enough, I want to play here, no need to go higher!
not sure when it changed, but 5 years used to be really long term!
and even though he had a good 1st half, I still don’t see him as a 20mill/year player (not that some of the other ones getting that much are either)
they can give some coverage/flexibility to both sides by being creative with backloading, vesting options and player opt outs, etc.
But realistically, 5 years should be the max for any kind of guarantee.
it should also work well for him, since after 5 he can hit FA at ~33, so young enough to get 1 more “real” deal instead of being a Orlando Hudson type 1 year vagabond!
we should have a vote poll, then we’ll be able to see how many ppl really believe alderson will sign reyes.. i am so skeptical now is not even funny
how can anyone offer this guy a long term deal when he is always injured? 20 mill way too high.I’ll guess that the Wilnots will offer 50 mill for 3 years and pray someone outbids them.
If you are REYES , why would you want to stay on the METS ? If the money is about equal, and a winning team like the GIANTS or BOSOX make him a fair offer. I think
he’s going with a winner. I will still love Jose and wish him well. Except of course when he plays against the METS.
Great as Reyes is. We still don’t have enough pitching to compete with the Phillies.
Help from the farm is still two years away. Alderson is going to save the money and take the two draft picks. He will make a offer but not enough to keep Reyes. Were are in budget cutting mode. Enjoy seeing our farm hands develop.
If you don’t give Reyes what he wants, you’re essentially CUTTING him at the end of the year. As Mets fans are you ok with this? I’M NOT!
You don’t recover losing Jose Reyes with “pieces” sprinkled here and there. You replace a star with a star. It doesn’t work like a jigsaw puzzle. The Mets have tried that before. They replaced two stars (Delgado and Beltran) with two ENORMOUS POS (Bay and Pagan). How is that working out? So now we’re going to “CUT” Reyes and sign three or four players with the money saved? If that isn’t THE MOST IDIOTIC idea ever, I don’t know what is. It’s almost as STUPID as the idea of replacing Delgado @ 1B with Daniel Murphy.
I SERIOUSLY question why Met fans aren’t losing their minds over the idea Jose Reyes might be playing his last games as a Met. It’s frightening, disgusting and despicable.
Met fans have about as much loyalty to their players as alley cats do towards one another.
Right. Let’s give all our stars blank checks. That’s a good way to run a team. It’s worked in the past.
OmarFan: Your problem in this Reyes issue is you’re thinking like an irrational fan and in doing so you are assuming the worst.
You are assuming guys like Xtreem, Donal, Des, myself etc. do not want Jose Reyes on the Mets. That can’t be further from the truth. Nobody is going to be HAPPY when and if he leaves. Nobody.
The PROBLEM is, some of us are realizing this team has roughly 6-8 “holes” on their 25 man roster. Mainly the bullpen, top of the rotation, currently LF, probably C, and maybe 2B or RF depending on the development of the players there.
Spending $20mil on ONE player who can’t stay on the field doesn’t solve ANY of those problems, does it? No.
You have to understand the franchise is in trouble financially so you have to think about where and how you spend your money. Can Sandy Alderson go find replacements for some of those holes with $20mil to spend? Yes. Do I know that he will do that? No.
But the problem is, every player has a value and if you are giving a player who is approaching 29 years old which is when most players begin their decline, plus he’s already injury prone 15+% of your budget, then you’re not thinking rationally.
You can’t give players blank checks.
If Reyes wants to be here, he will be here. If he understands the financial situation and really wants to be a Met for life, he’ll negotiate with the Mets based on what is fair for them.
If reyes wants to get rich and paid while he’s on the DL, then he can go elsewhere. If Reyes leaves its because he made decisions for Jose Reyes, and not for the Mets or their fans. You need to understand that.
You need to stop living in the past, Jessep. 135 games of Jose Reyes is better than 162 games of half talents. I don’t think you get that. You’re NOT filling holes with guys who make 7 million per. You’re NOT signing those types of free agents to begin with. The object is to field a SUCCESSFUL team with STAR players. You attain those stars by developing them, trading for them or signing them as free agents, right? How are you replacing this star? Your idea makes no sense.
This BOOTLEG GM status you guys claim is hysterical. You guys are SO shoved up your own rears you don’t realize what gobbledygook you’re writing. You guys actually think you look smart with this STUPID philosophy of filling holes. Filling holes with WHAT, exactly? It’s not free agents, because the pro-Alderson parade states we aren’t signing free agents so we can keep our draft picks. The 7 million dollar free agent is out the window. So we’re going to offer contracts to half-talents who won’t be offered arbitration? Is that the formula for success? lol. This is almost laughable if it weren’t so pathetic. You’re OK with that? What are you building with those type of athletes? Allow me to answer that one. You’re building a BS team, that’s what you’re building. The object is to pile on successful talents, not half-talents. The reason you PAY JOSE is because he gives you the best chance to fill holes. Allow me to explain.
Here’s the reason why you PAY JOSE. It forces the team to build from within the system. Lucas Duda is a cheap alternative. Reese Havens and Jordany Valdespin are cheap alternatives. Kirk Nieuwenhuis is a cheap alternative. Fernando Martinez is a cheap alternative. If you’re going to sign Jose, you’re limiting the team’s ability to sign free agents. The type of players you’re going to sign are Rule V guys or veterans who are at the end of their careers who will wind up their careers as stop gap pieces. Since we’re not competing for a few years (only a true idiot thinks we are), you preserve the guy who you BUILD THE TEAM AROUND. Ike, Reyes and Wright are your infielders. Duda is the experiment for RF. You bring back Bay, but begin to phase him out with Martinez and Nieuwenhuis if he’s ready. Maybe bring up Raul Reyes for the outfield. Lagares should be ready by midseason if he has a hot Spring and a successful start @ AA. You find a scrub with a good glove to play CF- Carlos Gomez is a good start if he’s available.
Now, which one is the better idea? Do you keep your stud and promote your kids or let your star go and sign someone else’s GARBAGE? You fill holes from WITHIN and keep Jose is the best option. The guys are there. Try them and see how we do. I don’t want to hear about us going OUT of the organization to fill holes. Who are we bringing in? If you tell me Albert Pujols and guys of that ilk, by all means, go for it. Don’t tell me you’re bringing in 4 NON-STARS to replace Jose Reyes when you have cheaper young kids ready to make their arrival in the bigs.
If Jose Reyes is the key to winning, why haven’t the Mets won since he’s been here?
Yeah, let’s allow our best player to walk to another team. That’s ALWAYS the key to success. As if we have another Jose Reyes type in the minors ready to fill in.
There’s a time you pay and a time NOT to pay.
With Jose Reyes you PAY him or PAY THE CONSEQUENCES.
You PAY HIM or you’re essentially CUTTING HIM.
You’re the type of Met fan who should go support another team.
As a Met fan for over 30 years, people like you make me want to THROW UP!
Take a flying leap off the Triboro with the rest of the DOPEY Met fans who would be willing to lose Reyes over money that doesn’t belong to you. And save your “we can fill 4 holes with the money saved” NONSENSE. It will make you and your types look even more pathetic.
“Yeah, let’s allow our best player to walk to another team.”
Our best player went 4 for 4 last night, with a homer, 3 RBI, 9 total bases. His name is Carlos Beltran. I hated to lose him, but we probably were going to anyway.
It’s interesting how you are willing to spend the money of someone else. In the meantime, Xanax might help.
LMAO @ Des. Beltran isn’t our player any longer in case you’ve missed current events. They have something called Gingko Biloba for people like you. You should try some salmon as well. People with slow minds like yours should try their best to keep up by consuming the above. In your case, consume a LOT!
I wasn’t sure you weren’t having some kind of an anxiety attack so I thought you could use some humor. I like Reyes but the team’s front office will make their decision. You’re wheels are spinning in the mud and you’re not getting traction with your Reyes laments — or so you must think. Just state your views another hundred times or so regarding Reyes, then maybe your message will get through when the first hundred times obviously didn’t, at least in your mind. Seriously, all of us know what you want, but we’ve already heard it.
Silly me for wanting the Mets to win. Anyone who supports the IDIOTIC notion that the Mets will be better off spending 20 million on 4 mediocre players needs a clue.
The only “anxiety” I have is with dopey Met fans who think it’s better to allow Reyes to walk than “overpay” to keep him.
If Reyes is the only key to winning, why haven’t the Mets won YET since he’s here?
All of sudden they should throw a ton of money at one player and now they are going to win.
He hasn’t brought a title yet.
WOW – and you have the nerve to say that other writers just bait and insult – again, I guess you want the rules to be set for everyone but yourself.
Are you a Mets fan or strictly an Omar fan? I’ve yet to see you post anything positive about any current Mets players since I began noticing your presence in these threads. I wonder why 29 other MLB teams havent hired Omar in almost a year now? Anyhow, I just thought it was comical of you to be telling other posters about current events especially when Omar has already been gone for a year.
Well, Minaya still is under contract with the Mets.
Other than, you’re pretty spot on. He’s even said he’s boycotting the Mets because Minaya was fired.
For once, Donal tells the truth. I, like a TON of Met fans, have turned their backs on this team by NOT going to games. As soon as Omar was let go, I cancelled any and all plans of going to Citi. Great park and all, but self-destructive owners don’t get my hard earned money. If I could have cancelled SNY, I would have as well.
So if you are off the bandwagon, then why waste time posting in a blog?
That’s really NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS, now is it? For the record, this blog is free. It doesn’t put my money directly into Fred Wilpon’s pockets. Even YOU can figure this one out.
My gut feeling is that the Mets will make Reyes a five yr 85 mil offer which is 17mil a yr. He might get twenty mil from another team but I think he’s stupid if he leaves NY. Mets need More pitching.
Chuck, please don’t upset OmarFan. He’s going through a Reyes separation crisis now.
Someone send the dopey Met fans a life preserver, PLEASE!