25
2012
With Things Deteriorating Quickly In Miami, Is A Reyes Reunion Possible?
An article by 
Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria was reportedly outraged with Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez’s comments in which he told the Miami Herald the following:
“There’s not a manager dead or alive that Jeffrey thinks is good enough. Not Connie Mack, not anyone.”
Gonzalez managed the Marlins for five seasons including their last two winning teams, in 2008 and 2009. He was fired in June 2010, after the team got off to a 34-36 start.
Loria responded, “I’m a little surprised because it’s classless — and you can quote me — especially because he was with us for five years and he was a colossal failure.”
These comments came only two days after current Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen openly blasted the owner on Friday at Citi Field:
“If Jeffrey doesn’t think I’m doing the job I should do, it’s not the first time he’s fired a manager,” Guillen said. “Look yourself in the mirror and ask why so many (bleeping) managers come through here. When you are in last place…we all failed.”
Things are falling apart quickly in Miami and reports are now coming out that the team has lost money this season even with the new (and ugly) park.
The Herald says that payroll could be slashed to as low as $70 million and with $65.5 million already committed in 2013 to eight players, more big names could be moved in salary dump deals. Those players could include Josh Johnson $13.75M, Mark Buehrle $12M, Ricky Nolasco $11.5M, Jose Reyes $10M, Heath Bell $9M, and John Buck $6.5M.
It’s a silly thought, but wouldn’t it be great if we could swap Jason Bay and his $16 million for Jose Reyes’ and Mark Buehrle’s contracts?
Move Ruben Tejada back to second base, have a 100% healthy Jose Reyes back at short and leading off again for us coming after another great season. And adding a veteran pitcher like Buehrle to the rotation would be something. The best part is losing Bay.
In case you were wondering, Reyes has played 151 games this season. He’s batting .286/.345/.435 with 35 doubles, 11 triples, 11 home runs, 82 runs scored, 59 RBI and 36 stolen bases in 605 at-bats.
The Marlins have never been a team that doesn’t like to trade within their division, in fact they do so more than most.
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
I'm a lifelong Mets fan who loves writing and talking about the Amazins' 24/7. From the Miracle in 1969 to the magic of 1986, and even the near misses in '73 and '00, I've experienced it all - the highs and the lows. I started Mets Merized Online in 2005 to feed my addiction. Follow me on Twitter @metsmerized.
51 Comments + Add Comment
Recent Comments
- DrDooby: on Mets Minors Report 5/21: Montero On Tap, Puello Mashing, Verrett Solid: Says who ? Nobody said that the...
- TexasGusCC: on Mets Offense Comes Up Empty In 4-0 Loss To Reds: Randall, accept it! He's not...
- Sealy: on Mets Offense Comes Up Empty In 4-0 Loss To Reds: Jay Horwitz and Scott Rice's surgeon.
- Sealy: on Mets Offense Comes Up Empty In 4-0 Loss To Reds: I wouldn't play him at ss, but...
- TexasGusCC: on Mets Offense Comes Up Empty In 4-0 Loss To Reds: Lou, Duda's run means nothing. But,...
MMO Mets Chat
Need Tickets To The Mets Game?
Check Out These Great MLB Links!
Photographs From Gordon Donovan
5378 Fans Follow Us On Twitter!
1269 Fans Like Us On Facebook!
2341 Fans Read Our Feed!
1702 Fans Subscribe via Daily Email!
Joe D, it’s not gonna happen for SO many reasons.. I think reyes backloaded contract make him somewhat of an issue as well. but don’t worry joe D, while you’re idea kinda makes sense, it’s not gonna happen. however, if they got Josh Johnson available and we have to take reyes, then hell yes…
Dream on Joe.The team did not want him amd he no longer wanted to play here.This team has so many holes to fill i don’t even know where to start.Plus on the minuscule chance he comes back, could you imagine how nuts everybody would go if he pulled a hammy and missed half the season.I want no part ot JR anymore.
I think if the Marlins were inclined to move Jose to the Mets a trade would have to have Heath Bell also going to the Mets, not Mark Buherle. A likely trade would look something like this (and the Mets aren’t going to do it anyway): Matt Harvey or Zack Wheeler, Reuben Tejeda, & Bay for Reyes, Bell, and possibly a low level prospect. I would NOT make that trade from the Mets perspective. The Marlins would be looking to shed salary and get young, salary-controllable talent (Harvey or Wheeler & Tejeda) in return, much like the Red Sox did with the Dodger trade. As much as I’d love to have Jose back, it ain’t happening.
I don’t see the Marlins doing that. They are going to want either prospects or for the other team to take on most if not all the salary. Picking up another big contract for an under performing player doesn’t serve any purpose for them.
Even with taking on those bad contracts to get Adrian Gonzalez, the Dodgers still had to send the Red Sox some young talent.
I’d take Bononfacio for CF.
Just goes to show that just throwing money at a team is not always the answer.
Even though we’re stuck with the Wilpons, I can console myself with the fact that it’s not Loria.
As soon as I saw that heavily back loaded contract they gave Reyes, I knew he would not finish it out down in Miami. While I think it’s a real possibility he winds up back in NY, it won’t be in Flushing.
Too bad Stanton isn’t on that list, even though I know he doesn’t qualify for dumping contracts.
SRT, they threw the money because they had young talent around.. and their payroll was very low. kinda like what the mets plan is no? to have wheeler, harvey, etc then fill up certain holes with FA. problem was, injuries to bonifacio and stanton along with poor start from PRETTY MUCH everyone offensively derailed their season. but it’s funny,most of you want the same thing they did to be the building bridge here, save as much as you can, have the young talent ready, then go out and spend to fill the holes. just like the marlins, it may backfire.
But you can’t do it all in one year and just throw mismatched pieces against the wall and hope it sticks and then bail when it doesn’t in June.
I am sorry, mismatched pieces??? How would you know what mismatched and what didn’t up until you play the season out? Bonifacio going down played a huge role, also stanton, plus hanley’s horrendous start made it even worse, and even like that at one point during the end of may/beginning of june, the Marlins were in first place… come on man, it’s not a given that a FA would come in and produce, just as it’s not a given that wheeler would ever live to the overhype that is been thrown his way. That is why most of us are not happy with this situation, because we don’t know if these prospects will be any good and us not doing anything during the FA or even in trade terms do not help the situation
Come on, me and MANY others were saying the Marlins would turn into a circus with that collection of players and we were right. Just as you were right that the Mets would stink this year.
Yeah, this was my point.
Spending money is one thing – O.K. if you have a plan…..but from anyone looking in and that included many of the baseball analysts it looked like spending money with no plan at all.
Or if they had a plan, they certainly gave up on it in very short order.
There was a reason they were dubbed the Miami Circus going in – and it wasn’t just b/c of that HR monstrosity going in.
Listen, the marlins were picked by many PAID analyst on ESPN and other baseball networks to win the division, win the NL Pennant and even the WS. not sure what many you’re talking about, if you klook at the prediction article we did here, most of us had the marlins winning at least the division.. and the mets SUCKING IT UP!
I had the Marlins winning 83 games and finishing third in the division.
I guess I just wasn’t as impressed with some of you all with the moves Loria made.
I mean, didn’t it strike anyone as a bit comical that he was going after every big ticket FA out there? Besides wining and dining Reyes, he did the same with Fielder and Pujols. Just struck me that he wanted to make more of a splash with his new stadium and all then in building a contending team for years to come.
And to clarify further, I had the Mets finishing last with 74 wins.
Yes, some people went and took the flashy pick. I can see how it was exy. It was easy to pick the team that got so many headlines. They won the off season World Series.
Then there are those of us who know that checkbook baseball is not a real strategy. Not the way Loria played it anyway.
Yup what direction did they even go in? What was the plan other than sign big names and court as many big names as possible to drum up ticket sales? Did they even go out looking to fill needs?
Offseason world series?? Wouldn’t you have said the ANGELS won that by acquiring pujols and wilson??? Come on donal, i get you hate the marlins, but the most disappointing team in the majors have got to be the Angels, all that talent, Trout and his 10.0 WAR and STILL are on the outside looking in..
Alex, it is surely disappointing that the Angels didn’t make it. But to say the Marlins weren’t one of if not the biggest disaster of the season is way off. As you said plenty of people were ridding high before reality kicked in.
TRS, listen, i picked them to win it all, they had a lot of talent on the field and were the sexy pick by many to make it at least to the WS, but the angels are loaded!!!!! everywhere you look that team has a star. good manager, good bullpen, good players, good SP and yet, they will prob not make it..
Alex if I had to pick an AL team for most disappointing I certainly would pick the Angels and Tigers but for the NL the Marlins not only didn’t come close to contending for the championship they tore the entire thing down by June. You have to admit that’s down right comical.
Tigers?? I bet you a one week ban that they will make the playoffs right now!?!? Cool!??
Not saying they won’t make it Alex. But they were supposed to run away and hide in that division.
Well, not only i think they’ll make it, but if they do, they’ll be my pick to win it all…
The Angels are 15 games over .500. They happen to play in a very tough division this year. Even with their lousy start, they are still 7 out of first and 2 out of a wild card. Not ideal, but no where near the failure of the Marlins.
The Marlins went and bought 2 high priced starters, a high priced closer, a high priced short stop, and got a celebrity manager. They had all this hype and talk, but people who cut through the hype and still saw the glaring holes they didn’t patch up (and the volatility they added)
LOL, I had forgotten about the trade for Zamby. Ozzie will fix him in 10 minutes.
Ya, it really says something when a guy like Big Z getting demoted to the bullpen is lost in the train wreck.
true but they didnt buy zambrano….cubs are paying 17 mil of his 19 million. Also not a fair comparison on wins, given the Marlins gave up and send out Reyes with a minor league cast at every other position. If they kept everybody, they would still be dissapointing but respectable and certainly better than they were last year when they finished last. Tigers, Angels and reds gave more money to single players than the marlins spent last year. Their payroll is still in line with the Mets and post the trades is lower. Only seems like they spent a lot given how cheapo they have been in prior years. And to be clear the only bust is Bell. Reyes with little protection has had a great year – third in WAR among shortstops(ahead of Jeter) and Beurhle has been Buerhle. Their problem is Stanton got hurt and the guys they already had underperformed. That and they have a crappy manager and pathetic owner
Again there were some worshiping at the feet of the Marlins because of the headlines made. But there were plenty of detractors both paid and no-paid that realized throwing that group of players together with Ozzie as manager was of Benzini Brothers legend.
It’s like remarrying your first wife-UGH!
Met Fan Lou — Were you originallly a lousy judge of talent or just ungrateful for all that the little woman did for you? LOL. In any case if you haven’t hooked up again, just remember that another train pulls into the station every few minutes!!!!
Very sage advice but strictly on an analytical basis, Reyes had an MVP season with his finalk year in a Met uniform for a reason. THE CONTRACT! Look at his stats in Miami. Nowhere close and do we all forget he is INJURY PRONE. No let him stay a fish. We don’t need to hook this guy again.
LOL, Lou you win the best comment of the day award. You can pick up your prize at the Executive Offices at Citi Field. Just ask for Fred.
Well Joe D. trhank you very much. If I tell Fred you sent me will my prize be one of those “Hoity Toity” plush seats with maitre D service behind the plate? No thanks I want one of those upper deck seats with the common folk and the REAL fans.I can kick a few back and have fun without being on tv.
Joe D. — It ain’t gonna happen. Will we pay more for Jose now when we wouldn’t in the past? Never, unless he’s tied at the hip to another great player. Tejada is adequate (defensively he performs at the league average in Fld% and a bit less in Range. But he’s a pesky hitter when he doesn’t try to do a lot with his bat.
We’ve got bigger fish to fry now in our outfield, such as finding time for Scott Hairston in LF. He’s really not cutting it in RF though he tries hard. Scott seems to me to get late jumps on the ball on hits in front of him.
I would imagine with the way that contract is structured you would have to either include a lot of cash in the deal or as Alex said throw in a Josh Johnson to get rid of him.
Never thought I’d see the day where JJ was considered a throw in.
Unfortunately, Jose Reyes will be replacing Derek Jeter at short for the Yankees after next season… they will eat the remaining 4 years and 75-80 million or so.
What is it with you guys? I know you understand intellectually but just can’t comprehend that winning IS NOT a priority of the New York Mets right now. Met ownership does not care of the Mets come in 1st place, 3rd place or last. The Mets are a commodity, that’s it. There is no sense of urgency to compete. Why would there be? The question Met fans should be asking is:
“How long did MLB give the Wilpons to rehabilitate their finances at the cost of fielding a competitive team? We know it’s at least 3 years, is it 5 years? 7 yrs? 10 yrs?
But here’s the thing, ALL owners first priority is to keep their team, 2nd priority to make money, as a biproduct of both winning helps both. So to say the Wilpons and Sandy don’t care about winning and only care about money is very contradictory. So far they are stinking at winning but ultimately I am sure they want to win and have a plan to win. As to if that plan is working or will work eventually? I have no idea.
It’s news like this is why I still believe Giancarlo Stanton is gonna be put out there on the trade market this winter. I’d go all in for Stanton well before I go for Reyes.
I was waiting for someone to write a Reyes reunion piece. How bout a reunion of Reyes, Pagan, Beltran and K-Rod so we have a shot at a 500 season. Get Ollie back for the 2nd lefty out of the pen and we’re set.
I still don’t get the love for Pagan.
“He’s having a better season than Torres” Ya, so are a lot of guys. Did everyone suddenly forget 2011? And pretty much every year but 2010 (which was a career year for Torres too)?
Besides, this was supposed to be Kirk’s breakout year. I bet if we went back in time and asked a lot of these same people pining for Pagan who they were rather play CF in 2012, they’d go with Kirk.
among CF, Angel Pagan is actually top 5 offensively in more than a few categories.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/paganan01.shtml
so yeah…not only is he better than Torres…he’s better than ALOT of CF
he also leads the MAJORS in triples
basically 30 SB, 15 3B, about 60 RBI and stellar play for a NL West division winner..
basically…he is back to what he was in 2009/2010…
Sandy failed…point blank…
he RELEASED a 22 year old F-Mart for nothing…in year when we are playing Fred Lewis in the OF…
F-Mart went on to have a decent year this year…
Hitting .210 in the big leagues is “decent”? Wow.
Considering he’s still 22, has had problems and in no way has his career been defined yet – it’s not an issue and nothing new. But in this current information/saber geek/short attention span era the development of a young player is almost a thing of the past. It’s now about instant “Numbers”
I think Dajama was taking into consideration his entire season, majors and minors so yeah i’d say he had a decent season.
Oh and not all young players develop at the same rate as you should already know..AND..considering that we have the immortal Fred Lewis instead of Fernando Martinez who is still only 22 (about Tejada’s age) I’d say that’s decent because he still putting up nice minor league numbers.
I wouldn’t put too much stock into his numbers in the PCL. I could hit 314 in that league at my age. The kid is still young going on 24 next month but he has arthritic knees that’s only going to get worse each year. They won’t even put him in CF anymore because of it. Both Kirk and Den Dekker will be better 4th outfielders than F-Mart.
Excellent point,
Fernando Martinez may have hit only .210 in 100 ABs for Houston (3 HRs, 10 RBIs) but he he had about 341 ABs for Houston’s AAA affiliate and hit .314/12 HRs and 62 RBIs!
62 RBIs in 341 ABs is an impressive ratio! And at 22 the sky is still the limit for Fernando. But Sandy got rid of him and signed some guy who has a nice OBP in AAA but can’t hit major league pitching for crap.
But he can take a pitch. Yet another case where this business of trying to find an undervalued player because of his OBP lands us another scrub who can’t hit but can walk – which takes the LEAST talent to do but Sandy thinks that’s some kind of hidden talent. And Fred Lewis in his 30s too so looking back in hindsight absolutely the Mets should have kept Fernando Martinez instead of this journeyman scrub (nice guy i’m sure though) who will be done with the team after this year.
Because he bounced back after a poor 1st half Donal. Not too many people were going crazy for him when on August 1st he was hitting 278, 15 2B’s 5 3B’s 5 HR’s 35 RBI’s and a 704 OPS. His WAR on AUG 1st was 1.8. He had a monster August and doubled his war. he had 1 HR and 27 RBI’s from May 1st to August 1st batting mostly 5th and during that 3 month span we were getting better production from our CF platoon so it wasn’t an issue. Kirk stopped hitting, Torres can’t hit RHP to save his life and Pagan went nuts.
If you are going to break down Pagans stats by months–slumps to high points that is baseball….players get hot then cold….just check out our best hitter D.Wright was on fire the 1st half 2nd half totally disappeared avg dropped by almost 40 or more points and his K-rate doubled as well.
Pagan was solid and had a down year in 2011….Kirk wasnt even in the conversation to play with the big league club in 2012 til mid season the earliest…
Wrong! Kirk would’ve been on the opening day roster had he not missed the 2nd half of 2011 with shoulder surgery. If not for the injury he would’ve gotten called up last year. Wright had as many HR’s in July as Pagan has hit all year. And Wright is still hitting 307 w RISP being intentionall walked 16 times w RISP and 333 w 2 out and RISP which tells you even with a down 2nd half he would’ve blown by 100 RBI’s if he had people in front of him getting on base. Wright didn’t come close to Pagan’s 3 consecutive months of futility. The majority of Pagans numbers have come in August. I can’t even fathom comparing the two. Pagan at his best is an avg player,sub 800 OPS. Wright at his worst is avg. and a star at his best. If a few other guys on the team put up a 305/390/490 like like Wright we’d have a powerful offense.
Hilarious Jeff Loria calling someone a colossal failure….Someone doesnt own a mirror!
Loria is to MLB what Donald Sterling is to the NBA
Loria and the Wilpons should be kicked out of baseball…I know wishful thinking