14
2011
The Market For Reyes
An article by 
In examining the potential market for Jose Reyes, we must first realize there are no concrete numbers. There’s “Carl Crawford Money,” as Fred Wilpon so eloquently called it. The $142 million over seven years given the Boston outfielder is the fuel behind speculation of Reyes’ reported quest of $100-plus million over seven years.
But, it is only speculation, and we won’t have a frame of reference before the first offer is made and Reyes’ camp presents a counter. Until then, every number – including mine – is only an opinion. Reyes’ agent has not publicly stated any contractual demands.
What we do know is few teams can afford a $100 million contract, so the pool is pretty shallow.
So, let’s take a look at some of the teams reportedly in the mix for Reyes, their needs and what might be holding them back.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Boston: The Red Sox are a franchise in turmoil and realize they must do something dramatic to win back their emotional fan base. They have a need for a shortstop, leadoff hitter – Crawford doesn’t prefer that role – and, of course, to keep pace with the Yankees. They have the resources, even though they are burdened with several huge contracts, notably Adrian Gonzalez, Crawford, John Lackey, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Josh Beckett. Plus, they’ll have to pay Jacoby Ellsbury in arbitration.
However, change should take money off the books in the form of David Ortiz, Jason Varitek and J.D. Drew.
The Red Sox are not a stagnant organization. They made overtures for Reyes before and will likely do so again.
New York: As a matter of course, you have to list the Yankees because, well, afterall they are the Yankees. We know they have the money and could have even more of it if they don’t retain C.C. Sabathia.
However, pitching is their priority, and if they don’t bring back Sabathia they will throw it at C.J. Wilson or a cast of thousands.
The obstacles in signing Reyes will be in getting Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez – both with huge contracts and egos – to change their positions. That won’t happen. Jeter will not give up shortstop to move to third, even though Rodriguez will get more and more DH at-bats, especially with Jorge Posada not coming back.
A wild thought is would Reyes be willing to come to the Yankees to play the outfield? I don’t think he’ll do it, but what if the money was too good?
Just a thought.
Anaheim: Owner Arte Moreno has the money and shown to be a progressive owner. The team missed the playoffs the last two years and he’s not one to sit tight.
First things first, the Angels need to name a general manager, who’ll decide the team’s identity. One thing for sure, Reyes is better than Erick Aybar.
Chicago: I wouldn’t label the White Sox serious contenders, but with new manager Robin Ventura they are a team in transition. As a large market team needing to compete with the Cubs, they can’t be overlooked as they have g0ne after high profile players before.
Their current shortstop Alexei Ramirez tailed off last season, but has enough of a track record to where there isn’t a compelling need to move him.
The White Sox have several decisions to make, including pitcher Mark Buehrle, but I can see Reyes’ camp approaching them, if for no other reason to widen the pool.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Mets: We’ll see how serious the Mets are about Reyes when they have their exclusive negotiating window following the World Series. They say they’d like to keep him and have the money, but at the same time GM Sandy Alderson is talking about shaving $30 million off the payroll.
Alderson said the Mets would like to keep Reyes, he didn’t say they want to keep him, and there’s a difference. There seems to be so sense of urgency from the Mets on Reyes. That indifference could push him out the door.
When you big picture things, the Mets haven’t won with Reyes, and with their current financial situation might be better off using that money to fix several other holes.
Philadelphia: Shane Victorino will have to just accept Reyes. The Phillies, if they lose Jimmy Rollins, should come after Reyes hard. Ryan Howard’s injury would make it more compelling to add offense.
Remember when Andy Pettitte said he wouldn’t sign with the Red Sox because they are the Red Sox and he would always be a Yankee at heart? Nope. Reyes doesn’t have those feelings.
Philadelphia has the money and certainly doesn’t want to waste all that pitching with a stagnant offense. The Phillies will be players in this.
Milwaukee: Reyes has a supporter in Ryan Braun, and the Brewers seem resigned to have Prince Fielder leaving. If the Brewers lose in the playoffs, then have Fielder bolt, they’ll have to do something to keep the fan base.
Normally, you don’t think of the Brewers as a spending team, but things have changed with Miller Park and the franchise, while not crazy, is a little more liberal than it had been.
St. Louis: I have seen the Cardinals mentioned several times, but I don’t see the fit. St. Louis is committed in re-signing Albert Pujols, which is one reason they threw a lot of money at Matt Holliday.
Tony La Russa might be just the manager to get Reyes to reach his potential, but the Cardinals aren’t likely to add a third $100-plus million package.
Chicago: We know the Cubs have the money and a new regime, but they also have an excellent shortstop in Starlin Castro and their eyes on Fielder.
It won’t happen here.
San Francisco: Reportedly, the Giants don’t have, or want, to spend the money on what it would take to get Reyes, but I’m not buying it. There’s a sense of urgency for the Giants to return to the playoffs after winning the World Series in 2010.
They definitely have the pitching to take them there, but are lacking offense. Maybe, they’ll re-sign Carlos Beltran, but their need is a shortstop and speed. Reyes will still be a triples machine in that park.
Over the next couple of seasons, the Giants will have several contracts off the books, including Barry Zito’s in two years (no way will he get the innings for his option to be picked up in 2014).
Los Angeles: This is a team in worse financial straits than the Mets. Small wonder Joe Torre left.
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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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 23 | 18 | .561 | - |
| Nationals | 23 | 19 | .548 | 0.5 |
| Phillies | 20 | 22 | .476 | 3.5 |
| Mets | 16 | 23 | .410 | 6.0 |
| Marlins | 11 | 31 | .262 | 12.5 |
Last updated: 05/18/2013
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Zito is zippo. Only his astronomical $$$ demands and his big ego saved Omar from making a huge mistake. Of course Jeff supported Omar. Zito is a narcissist. We luckily escaped him.
Des, Zito killed the Giants but just imagine if we had signed him.
We gave up our pick that year for Alou so it would have cost another #2 which busted anyway (college reliever Brant Rustich)
Zito would have at the very least pitched better than Brian Lawrence, David Williams, Chan Ho Park and a too young Jason Vargas and Phil Humber. That’s 11 starts right there. (Plus Pelfrey wouldn’t have been up here in just his 2nd pro season and I think that would have made a HUGE difference in his development. Niese wouldn’t have been rushed up in 2008 and Pedro wouldn’t have come back before he was ready either and Zito wouldn’t have burnt the pen like our 5 inning pitchers did in 2008 either.
Zito almost guaranteed helps us win a couple more games in 2007 and 2008 and most likely allows us to trade high on Perez or let him go free agent and get a 1st round pick. Perez wasn’t Minaya’s first choice that off season so it’s hard to say he was crazy about him, just that he needed him.
I know it’s crazy and Zito was never coming to the east coast anyway if he could help it but signing him might not have hurt us as much as it appears.
tag, Great observations on your part. Sometimes we benefit more by what we don’t do than otherwise.
First of all , the Redsox do have a lead off hitter and Reyes will never agree to play the OF. The Angels are always mentioned and never sign anyone. I’m concerned about the Phillies but there payroll is higher then you think and he’s not going there on the cheap ala Cliff Lee. Why would Milwaukee not pay Fielder and then go sign Reyes. The Giants , Nationals and Phillies are the competition with Philly being a long shot
What we can expect is that Jose’s most recent five years will be better than his next five years. His legs are already showing Father Time’s inevitable wear and tear. I don’t know if it’s self-preservation in anticipation of his signing for big bucks, or if it’s his declining dynamics, but Reyes going to his left on grounders is not what it used to be.
Des I don’t know you can say his legs are the product of Age his legs have been his issue since day one!
High performance cars tend to break down more often because they operate at such high tolerances.
Hi Metsie,
The point I was trying to make is that some of Jose’s incredible ‘acceleration dynamics’ seem to be declining. That was not an issue back in day one. I hope I’m wrong, but I’ve seen him give up on grounders hit up the middle. I don’t remember him doing that in his younger days.
Another indication of his current capability is his reduced base stealing attempts. In the four year 2005-2008 period, Jose averaged more than 81 attempts, and was successful about 64 times, each season. While there are some tactical and managerial issues involved, the days of Jose running wild are likely gone forever.
coming for you and your past history of observations Jose will probably lead the league in stolen bases next year.
The hate dweeb returns. Oy vez.
Well the attempts have gone down with his missed time. He was playing 150-160 games in that stretch and since his most games in a season was 133 (2010)
I also think he has been coached to not attempt as many but rather to pick his spots better. He might actually be helped with a guy like Ricky Henderson coaching him but I’m not suggesting that alone is worth dealing with Ricky!
Didn’t Ricky already work with him before?
certain positions in sports are young man spots really. And as guys age, they have to transition from speed/agility players to smart players.
SS is one of them. A guy at 22 with the lightning reflexes can make dramatic plays. An older guy has to get by on positioning much more (no need for a deep run into the hole, if you are already there!)
There was only one Jose. If he goes, Ruben is not a Jose reincarnation. He’s smooth but not nearly as fast, nor as quick. He’s about the same age as Elvis Andrus, but Elvis steals a base once every four games. Ruben once every forty games. Enough said.
you really hate Tejada don’t you.
Old man- YOU LOST!
and back to the subject, um, most players aren’t as quick as Jose or steal like Jose. Tejada is NOT THAT KIND OF PLAYER. He’s a different animal.
If you were fair and honest you would already know that. But you’re not a fair person and you’re not honest either.
Get off the kid’s back already!
You sir are a hippocrate. I’ve been reading this site for a long time now, and everything you complain about others posts you do yourself.
YOU are not the fair one, and stop calling being “not – honest” Take a look in the mirror loser, you are nothing but a wind bag know it all, that really brings nothing but venom when someone has a differing opinion.
Grow up or go away already……….
give me some examples
i have to say, you never do want to do any leg work, do you? And I’m not talking the Can Can.
you really are obsessed with Tejada (good) and Wright (bad) aren’t you.
tejada was OK, but still weak overall compared to other players at SS and MI. He had a .335 slugging, and a .695 OPS. So, basically no power. He played decent defense, but is no GG caliber guy. And he doesn’t run.
basically, he was Luis Castillo without the gimp.
His BA was pretty good, and a .360 OBP was not bad, but we know that you think OBP is worthless.
i’m not obsessed but i’m going to call someone out for lying, especially a guy who spent the last year and half making fun of the prospect I said would make it. And he did. That’s what this is about.
And as for your stats you’re just pointing inefficiencies out that develop as the player develops. Somehow most fans forget this. The kid is 21 and still a work in progress.
Basically what you’re doing is faulting a player for his own development.
I’ve never lied but you sometimes misconstrue issues and then you lash out. You’ve done it over and over. It won’t work. You are a sad case.
Why must you spend so much time harassing the good and decent people who simply come here read about their team and occasionally leave comments? Why do you think it’s ok to harass and insult fellow fans? What kind of animals raised you?
and again it’s RIDICULOUS, stupid, and really short sighted to cite stats like slugging percentage and OPS when it comes to players like Tejada and it’s really getting tiring for me to always point that out.
It’s all RELATIVE to what your team needs. What was Bud Harrelson’s OPS and SLG, what was Ozzie Smith’s OPS & SLG? What is Omar Vizquel’s OPS & SLG?
Get the point? And this kid, at 21 hit almost .290! I’m not sure if Bud Harrelson EVER hit .290 in his life but I bet you’ll speak fondly of him.
Everybody is losing site of what’s important and generally how statistics reflect the player relatively speaking. What you did was just use random stats and apply it to ANY player and that’s flat out wrong. That’s not how you evaluate.
These saber guys want to build a team with 13 Albert Pujols type hitters, 5 Roy Halladay type starters and 7 Mariano Rivera type relievers. This is their goal. Really.
Funny you posted because I was just thinking that. All these guys want all the players on the team to have good OPS, good SLG and they’re losing site that is doesn’t work like that.
You can’t build a team with that thought process.
Fantasy baseball addicts run amok.
Hate Tejada? Absolutely not. I just think Tejada can ‘make it’ only if other guys are injured or sick. He is in my mind a marginal offensive player at best. Why do you have so much trouble with opinions that don’t agree with yours? So knock off the bully boy mentality. It doesn’t work with adults. For you to call out a person who doesn’t agree with you as not being fair is simply silly. My point is that to replace Reyes with Tejada is a step backwards, just as you have confirmed.
The team to watch is Philly!
While I find it hard to believe they would give up on a guy who was pretty much the heart and soul of that franchise’s success for a guy like Reyes who could extend their playoff running by a few years they just might!
Which leads to an interesting scenario!
Do WE go and sign Rollins?
He would be VERY VERY Motivated to seek some revenge on Philly and maybe would inspire the rest of this team to up it;s level of play enough to actually compete!
It’s not my first choice by any means but I do believe the Phillies will show interest in Reyes to some degree and if they sign him Rollins will be available!
not if he is holding firm to has demand for a 5 year deal!
No I would rather have Reyes for 5 years myself but then again I not one making posts saying to let Reyes go in the first place!
what about Washington?
I thought about it but you know they love Desmond and with Zimm at 3B where do you put Desmond? You’d have to move Desmond to 2B but then you have to find a home for Espinosa.
But it’d be a big move for a franchise looking to get on people’s radar
Market for reyes:
NEW YORK METS: they save tons of money on the krod dump, the contract of castillo, perez and beltran are gone, so the team has money. he proved to be the BEST player on the team and became the first met to ever WIN A BATTING TITLE. while tejada will fill in at SS for him, he’d be PERFECT at 2B and reyes at SS to make a very strong defensive middle of the field. if the mets don’t sign reyes and let him walk away they will get 2 draft picks. in previous years as the GM of the dodgers, depodesta let beltre walk and got 2 sup draft picks for him luke hochevar (A BUM) and ivan de jesus (6 hits in 32 at bats in VERY SHORT BASEBALL CAREER), this is what most likely will expect us if sandy decides to leave reyes walk out, remember depodesta has drafted ABSOLUTELY nobody to give us confident that if we lose reyes he’ll make the best picks for us anyways…
Ummmm…. you realize letting Beltre walk turned out to be a good move don’t you and actually totally proves your point wrong?
In his walk year Beltre went
.334/.388/.629/1.017 48HR 121 RBI
Then he signed 5yr/64mil with Seattle and went
.255/.303/.413/.716 19HR 87 RBI
.268/.328/.465/.792 25HR 89 RBI
.276/.319/.482/.802 26HR 99 RBI
.266/.327/.457/.784 25HR 77 RBI
.265/.304/.379/.683 8HR 44 RBI
Go ask Seattle fans if they felt Beltre earned a dime of that contract he got.
He used the $ he would have spent on Beltre and signed Derek Lowe to 4yr/36m. Lowe who’s ERA was a 5.62 the year prior and then never finished his cotnract with an ERA over 3.88.
the problem wasn’t letting Beltre go, its that they failed at getting an everyday 3B after him.
You couldn’t be more wrong about the Beltre situation.
he used the money to sign derek lowe??? so he signed someone else who SUCKED even more than beltre, then he lost his picks for signing a bum like lowe to the dodgers, then drafted CRAP on the return picks for beltre, and… HE GOT FIRED right after he turned the dodgers into the worst dodgers team since 1992 and the 3rd worst dodgers team since 1958!!!!
LADIES AND GENTS, PAUL DEPODESTA is one of the 3 GM’s currently in charge of the mets org… and he’s the one picking the players at the draft.. i called that a very iffy situation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
what are you talking about? Are you lost?
Beltre’s #’s dropped SIGNIFICANTLY after he left LA proving DePodestaright that he wasn’t worth the contract he got.
Instead DePodesta got a guy who anchored their staff for 4 years and did a very good job at it.
You can find faults, but not signing Beltre to the deal Seattle did is not one of them.
Yep but not compared to the guys they played INSTEAD of him the next 4 years!
If they had signed him there would have been ONE YEAR LEFT which would have coincided with their acquisition of Casey Blake!
Who took 4 years to find while they were playing CHUMPS that couldn’t hold a candle to what Beltre was doing!
Instead DePodesta got a guy who anchored their staff for 4 years and did a very good job at it”"
WHAT!!?!?!?!? 54-48 3.60 ERA while pitching at the FRIENDLY CONFINES OF THE DODGERS STADIUM… Road ERA of 4.69!! how is that “ANCHORING” the pitching staff?!?!? are you kidding me!?!? depodesta was fired for being as inept as they come…
What replaced him?
.247/.300/.339/.639 3HR 15RBI
.241/.306/.437/.814 9HR 24RBI
.283/.328/.371/.700 7HR 59RBI
.264/.344/.383/.728 9HR 52RBI
.280/.363/.468/.832 18HR 79RBI
That was a revolving door at 3B for them by the way!
Wasn’t until they found blake (FOUR YEARS LATER) that they came even CLOSE to getting the same HR and RBI with little to no real improvement in BA OBP or SLG!
It’s the numbers you FAIL to list that always exposes how bad you point really was!
John I think you missed a few realistic possibilities, and some of your suggestions I’d say are off the table. To start with a response in my opinion of your contenders
BOS – I think Carl Crawford is exactly why this won’t happen. It would however re-energize a fan base that is ready to hang themselves. But I think they saw enough from Crawford to realize maybe a longterm deal for a speedy guy isn’t in their best interest.
NYY – I just don’t see Jeter moving and I think it’s an even longer shot that Reyes goes to the OF. Even though their offense fell asleep in the postseason, their pitching is concern #1
LAA – Maybe but your GM point is valid. They need somebody in there quick. They’ve gotten burned on some big contracts though also… but def. a possibility
CWS – I frankly don’t see it. I don’t see it as a good fit to be honest.
PHI – I think on paper it works. But I also think you’ve read and heard enough comments from guys like Rollins (who granted may be gone but I doubt his opinion was not shared) that would suggest that team is not a big fan of Reyes’
MIL – I really don’t know. Their #1 priority is Prince and signing Reyes doesn’t come close to even out the run production lost here.
STL – Same as MIL, priority #1 is Pujols. I don’t really see STL needing another high priced bat. Imagine where this team would be if Wainwright didn’t suffer an injury early on?
CHC – Castro & Barney are about the only bright spots on the active roster that Theo has. I don’t see the value in hurting that. Especially when I expect if Prince or Albert do not sign with their current squads, Chicago will go heavy for one of them.
SF – Reports are that they don’t have the $. And again to the same degree as Cubs. If lets say they do have the $, wouldn’t a guy like Prince or Albert better serve their team?
LAD – $, just don’t see how it could happen.
I’d like to throw out the following teams:
Detroit – They’ve been known to spend, and a hole at SS with a team on the verge of championship caliber baseball is a move Dombrowski would make I think. He’d fit there perfectly
Seattle – Occasionally they find $, and Ichiro is on his way towards retirement soon. Who will take over that #1 slot? Reyes would excite the fan base, especially next to Ackley.
Florida – It’s a gamble I know, but… new stadium, new manager, new look tells me they will want to make an impact and not get hit with attendance struggles in a new park. If hanley would move to 3B or even 2B, Reyes fits that team perfectly.
SF has Belt (or Panda) that can man 1B. they have nothing at SS. That is a bigger need to them than 1B.
HMMMM Here is my top Watchlist
Mil- because they have playoff revenue to spend and they are going to lose Fielder
Bos- They have money coming off the books and need a SS
Tor-Need a leadoff hitter and can move Escobar over to 2nd or trade him
LAAngels-Also need a leadoff hitter,can move or trade Aybar
Cubs-New GM looking to make a splash? Signing Fielder and Reyes would do that?