The Jose Reyes experiment is just not working. He’s hitting .125/.222/.250 and — oh wait, those are Zack Wheeler‘s batting stats. Reyes’s numbers are worse as he’s slashing .104/.189/.134 with no home runs, no triples, one stolen base, and two doubles in 19 games. He has already accumulated a -0.8 WAR on the season and that just will not cut it for a team trying to make it back to the World Series.
With Wilmer Flores on the disabled list, the Mets best option for third base is probably T.J. Rivera and while he could probably produce offensively, he hasn’t thus far and profiles more as a utility man off the bench. It is too early to call up Amed Rosario who should not really be seeing time at third base. He is supposed to be a defensive whiz at shortstop and that is hard to come by, keep him there!
If anything, moving Asdrubal Cabrera to third base would make more sense than teaching Rosario a new position altogether. Cabrera is a veteran and third base would probably be easier on his legs than shortstop. His arm is plenty strong enough to make it across the diamond but, most importantly, he will produce offensively from the hot corner, something the Mets haven’t really had since David Wright of old.
The Mets need a third baseman and there is a free agent available that you might find familiar, considering he has been on the team for the past two seasons.
When the Mets made it to the 2015 World Series, Kelly Johnson was there. Last season, when the Mets seemingly had more players injured than healthy, Kelly Johnson was there. Now the Mets need a third baseman and Johnson is a free agent – why the heck haven’t they signed him yet? Were they waiting for the Braves to sign him so they could trade for him again like they’ve done the past two years?
Mr. Alderson, forgive me for being blunt, but what the hell is the hold up? What have you got to lose? He’s a good hitter, I mean .268/.328/.459 in 82 games with the Mets last season isn’t bad! Add to that his nine home runs in 183 at bats and you’ve got a dangerous bat that can play more positions than not. The Mets have made the playoffs two seasons in a row and he was a part of those teams, why shouldn’t he be part of this one too?
The Reyes experiment is failing. Honestly it’s getting close to the point at which it’s reasonable to just straight up release him. The Rockies are paying him $22 million this season, he’ll be fine taking a minor league deal elsewhere. If he can get out of this slump soon and live up to expectations, great, play him. If not, releasing him and signing Kelly Johnson must be a seriously considered option.
