It’s no secret how fond Jose Reyes is of Amed Rosario and vice versa. Even before the latter was with the big club, the two reportedly talked everyday.
Now that Reyes is back with the Mets, the team that he has been vocal about having an affinity for, he will look to mentor the young shortstop and help him be the best that he can.
“I know that I have a great relationship with Rosario and I am going to help him the most that I can, everything that he needs,” Reyes said. “He is going to be one of the best players in this league for a long time and I am going to be open, I have told him, anything you need to know just let me know, because I know how stuff is from the beginning.”
Reyes re-upped with the Mets on a one-year contract last month, and is ecstatic to be back. This is the team, he says, he wants to finish his playing career with.
“I know from the bottom of my heart that I want to be here, but I don’t want to go crazy in my head,” he said. “I told you guys last year, this is where I want to be and hopefully finish my career with this team.”
The 34-year-old hit just .246/.315/.413 with 15 homers and 58 RBI in 561 plate appearances last year, but will likely see a different role this season, as the team sees him as a super-utility guy.
“I’m ready for everything, man,” he said. “This is not my first time talking about this (role). I came into last year in the same situation and I have every glove in my locker. Wherever they need me to be, I’ll be open to be there.”
As for Rosario, the 22-year-old will be entering his first full big league season with the Mets. He made 170 trips to the plate with New York in 2017 and hit .248/.271/.394 with four homers and 10 RBI.
Hopefully, Reyes can shed some knowledge on the future of the team and help him work through the ebbs and flows of being a young shortstop; something Reyes went through himself a decade and a half ago.
