7
2011
So How Great Was Jose Reyes’ Season Anyway?
An article by 
Come closer to the screen. I want to let you in on a little secret. Are you with me? Okay, here goes.
Jose Reyes won the National League batting title this year.
What was that? You knew that already? You want me to tell you something you don’t know? Fine, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. In fact, I have a number of things to tell you that you probably didn’t know. And once I tell you, you’ll see that Jose Reyes’ 2011 season was even greater than you originally thought.
Jose Reyes batted .337 in 2011, the third-highest single season batting average in franchise history for a player who played the entire season as a Met. (Mike Piazza batted .348 in 109 games for the Mets in 1998, but he also spent time with the Dodgers and Marlins that year.) Naturally, Reyes’ batting average represented a career high. But he also set career highs in on-base percentage (.384), slugging percentage (.493) and OPS (.877).
Reyes also finished among the league leaders in hits (181), multi-hit games (57), runs scored (101), triples (16) and stolen bases (39). He accomplished all this while playing in only 126 games due to his dual trips to the disabled list.
Fine. You can find that information anywhere. Now let’s delve deeper into his final numbers.
On May 19, Jose Reyes went 0-for-3 with a walk. The following day, he went 0-for-4. That was the only time during the 2011 season in which Reyes went hitless in consecutive starts. (On September 17 and 18, Reyes also failed to collect a hit. However, he did not start the game on September 18, going 0-for-1 in a pinch-hitting appearance.) Furthermore, since Reyes drew a base on balls in the May 17th game, that means he was never kept off base in consecutive games all year. Let me repeat that in caps and bold it for greater effect.
JOSE REYES NEVER WENT MORE THAN ONE GAME WITHOUT REACHING BASE ALL YEAR.
Although Jose Reyes has always been a bit of a free swinger, he has never been one to strike out very much. (Reyes’ career high in strikeouts is 82, which he accomplished in 2008.) But he had never made such consistent contact until this year.
In 2011, Reyes struck out 41 times in 537 official at-bats, an average of one strikeout every 13.1 at-bats. Reyes was the toughest man to strike out in the National League, with every other player striking out at least once every 11 at-bats. Yadier Molina finished second in this category, striking out once every 10.8 at-bats (44 Ks in 475 AB).
Let’s put Reyes’ numbers into perspective. For Yadier Molina to have finished with a better K/AB rate than Reyes, he would have had to register 40 more at-bats in 2011 without striking out in any of them. Also, if Reyes had picked up 10 more at-bats and had struck out all ten times, Molina would have surpassed him. But Reyes only struck out more than ten times in a calendar month once, when he whiffed 11 times in April, so it would have been very unlikely for him to strike out in ten consecutive at-bats. In fact, Reyes never struck out more than twice in any game this year and he fanned more than once in a game only six times, never doing so after July 24.
Finally, let’s take a look at the National League leaders in slugging percentage. (You can find that info by clicking here.) Jose Reyes finished 17th in the National League in slugging percentage. He did so while hitting only seven home runs. Why is that worth mentioning? Because the other 16 players who finished ahead of Reyes hit at least 22 HR.
What makes this more amazing is that Reyes was the only player in the top 34 to hit fewer than 14 HR. Therefore, Reyes finished the season as one of the best “sluggers” in the league even though the other 33 players in the top 34 all hit at least twice as many home runs as he did. Of course, Reyes collected 47 extra-base hits that WEREN’T home runs (31 doubles, 16 triples). The only player in the National League who topped Reyes in that category was the Rockies’ Dexter Fowler, who hit 35 doubles and 15 triples.
Those are just a few examples of how great Jose Reyes’ 2011 season was. Reyes was more than just a high average hitter. He was as consistent a hitter as the Mets have ever had in a single season. He put the ball in play with more regularity than any Met in their 50-year existence and once he put the ball in play, he wasn’t just satisfied with dinking and dunking singles here and there.
Jose Reyes had one of the most amazing seasons in Mets history in 2011. Let’s hope the Mets re-sign him so we can enjoy more seasons such as this one.
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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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 42 | 30 | .583 | - |
| Phillies | 35 | 37 | .486 | 7.0 |
| Nationals | 34 | 36 | .486 | 7.0 |
| Mets | 27 | 40 | .403 | 12.5 |
| Marlins | 22 | 48 | .314 | 19.0 |
Last updated: 06/19/2013
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Certainly, a very fine season indeed. I can only imagine the numbers he would have put up had he not missed 40 or so games…
Reyes should receive plenty of MVP votes for his great season. Maybe not 1st or 2nd on most ballots but he will probably come in 3rd or 4th overall. Great season.
And where are we picking up this offense from if we’re not resigning Reyes? And where are we playing this offense that is supposed to replace Reyes bat? LF, CF, C, SS?
No guarantee that Jose ever matches this season but 80% of this year would be enough to fuel a decent offense that maintains a decent approach with the guys we already have, even including the guys we’re stuck with for a while.
Jose Reyes should easily pay for himself in ticket sales, concessions, parking ($19.00 per car) merchandise and ratings on SNY. He should really go under the payroll as a separate entry. Iconic NY Met. Not even be included in the regular payroll figures. We should be less concerned with losing an extra mil or two and more concerned with losing what is left of the Fan Base.
Trade Wright if there is something really worthwhile if you have to or decline his option and let him go after 2012. Bay’s option won’t vest so he’s gone after 2013, Santana contract is up in 2013 too and his option can be declined so there is plenty of salary coming off the books real soon and a few good looking players coming up who will be inexpensive for years to come but no ones going to pay to see them if the base base has just thrown in the towel.
People will understand if he gets 7 years 150 M but what they won’t understand is if we don’t do everything possible to try to resign him right now, both in word and in deed. Make the guy a very fair and reasonable offer right off the bat. 5/100 + a perk or two. If he uses that as a base in which to judge all other offers so be it. If he does that he’s looking elsewhere anyway but he’s been a bargain and a joy for years so show him you want him to stay. Show him you want him to be part of the future, we all do.
After giving so much money to so many other guys to come here and stink up the joint you don’t have any left for one of our own who has played very well here?
Typical Mets, Typical Wilpon.
80% based on OPS would be right around 2006-2008 Jose
t agee I totally agree and I’ve said the same thing before on many occasions. What Reyes will return to this team in marketing, advertising and merchandising dollars alone makes re-signing Reyes a wise move and solid investment. He is currently the team’s cash cow in addition to everything else you mentioned.
Joe, Just can’t understand why he’s not being treated as if he was a priority. I know money is real tight but the Mets are only losing money because of all the stupid idiotic decisions made around here over the last 15 years.
Making more of them isn’t going to make things any better.
I would have to agree with most of what you say AG but a seven year contract is very unlikely. While Jose is no doubt the best catalyst in baseball and the closest thing to RickY Henderson that baseball has seen, he has a problem with being durable. He is a natural thoroughbred athlete and they all end up with leg problems. I think that Sandy Alderson has a very good yearly salary offer in mind for Jose and his agent but for 4 years maximum. The hamstring injuries can often keep a player on the DL for a year but do they ever really heal especially for a player whose game is his legs?
In so far as merchandising and ticket sales being higher because of Jose…management is more likely to look at the amount of games that Jose has missed instead.
I do hope though that you end up being right and that the Mets instead seek out a trade partner for some serious pitching help by trading David Wright. If they could get a front line starter or a top notch closer they should do it. If not keep David and hope that bringing in the fences at Citi Field helps to remove the demons of hitting there for David and for Jason Bay!
You bring up a good point about marketing $$. I mean, look at Beltran, who spent a majority of his Mets time on the DL and did not endear himself to many fans. On the flip side, something that the Mets have not embraced, from a marketing standpoint, is the power of a fun player, a unique player, someone who the fans can also embrace. As an example, I find it odd that while I could find a Sandy Koufax Brooklyn Dodger jersey in the team store, I could not find a Jonathon Niese shirt. Now, I know I can buy them online, but it’s the principle: why not sell guys who are fan favorites. You go into the bullpen store (I think that’s what it’s called) and it’s basically David Wright and that’s it. I think most Mets fans realize there’s more than one player on the team but you’d never know it because their marketing sucks. Jose would be good for that, but the Mets would probably find a way to screw that up too!
Four years won’t cut it, you know that and I know that. 6 years and 135M might cut it. If not, at least Wilpon tried. Pops
WOW…. just wow.. thanks for all the information… had the mets being on contention and reyes would’ve had this type of season he certainly would’ve gather MVP votes.. is amazing to think he lead the league in triples, had 181 hits and 101 runs scored in only 126 games… is a shame for him really, but i am proud of him because he WON THE BATTING TITLE despite injuries and all.. FIRST MET TO EVER DO IT!!!!!
Congratulations jose, now let’s hope you stay with us!!!
Great analysis Ed. I have tweeted and posted numerous times about how underrated and appreciated Jose is, but you summed it up spectacularly. Great research. Great job in putting his value into Alderson type numbers. Let’s go Sandy, reach for the phone and make you pitch. Hopefully Jose won’t swing and miss.
Excellent year. Set career highs in all of the slash line stats. HRs down, but extra base hits up.
really the only disappointing # was 126, his games played.
Interesting also though is his age. 28. I know at some point I saw an analysis trying to prove it, but it really does seem common to see guys have their breakout/career year right around 28. Just seems to be the sweet spot of experience, physicial peak, etc. where it all comes together. And before they hit the dark side of 30 and start that gradual decline into old age.
Will be nice to see Reyes stay healthy and have a decent run of peak years though. Some guys stay up for a while, some peak and crash. I’m hoping he is a maintainer, at least if he signs with the mets (if he goes to the Phils, I hope he turns into jason bay)
Perhaps the 126 games played will keep the length of his contract down. He’ll still average at least $20 million per season, but I doubt he’d get more than a five-year deal with a sixth-year option. Let’s hope he really wants to stay in New York and is not just saying that to keep the fans on his side. I can’t picture this team without him.
And this is why he is worth paying!
Nuff Said!
FYI….Jimmy Rollins wants a 5 year deal. Jose Reyes isn’t signing any 3/4 year deal for those of you who live in a cloud of fantasy. The Mets are going to have to PAY UP or risk being a 70 win organization for the next couple years.
People are under the impression you can take 20 million in annual salary and replace Reyes with 4 players making 5 million per year. That’s not the way baseball works. When you have an upper echelon talent like Jose Reyes, you’re not going to find scrubs/mediocre players to fill his spot, along with other positions on the field and IMPROVE. You will REGRESS more like it. You’re going to wind up with Angel Pagan type players. You’re going to wind up with Steve Swisher type players. You’re going to wind up with average type players. That’s not going to fill the bill when you don’t replace your star athlete. Every sport is this way. Baseball isn’t an exception.
Somehow, someway, Met fans have been tricked into the idea that Jose Reyes’ money can be used to “fill holes” on the roster. How exactly does losing Jose Reyes help fill holes when his loss would generate the BIGGEST HOLE to fill?
It’s like going from Prime Rib to chuck steak.
It’s like going from designer clothing to rags purchased on a street corner.
It’s like going from driving a car with brand new tires to worn tires.
It’s like watching a TV made in 2009 to something made in 1989.
It’s like dating a compassionate person and then dating someone selfish.
Think about it for a second. You’re going 2nd hand if you replace Reyes with an inferior athlete. And 4 second hand athletes NEVER replaces a star one.