Jose Reyes went 3-4 with two runs scored last night and has now raised his batting average to .322 for the season. The Mets are 110-29 (.791) when Jose Reyes scores two or more runs.
Currently, Reyes leads the majors in triples (6), multi-hit games (19), hits (59) and stolen bases (16) and is tied for second in the NL in doubles with 13.
George Willis of the NY Post says if the Mets really do care about their future, then why keep up the pretense that there’s still a chance Jose Reyes will be re-signed when it’s inevitable he will be dealt at some point this season?
Jose Reyes, meanwhile, occupied his familiar position at shortstop and continued his fine season with three hits and two runs scored. For an injury-ravaged team, it was a good night.
Still, the worst-kept secret in Flushing is the Mets likely will deal Reyes before the trade deadline, ensuring they get something in return before he becomes a free agent at the end of the season. The cash-strapped Mets have no interest in paying Reyes the $100 million contract he’ll demand. Bottom line: Come Opening Day 2012, Tejada will be the Mets’ shortstop.
Why the pretense if that’s the case? Why not start Tejada at shortstop now and move Reyes to second base? Why can’t the future start now?
Mets manager Terry Collins yesterday said Tejada would play mostly at second base and spell Reyes at shortstop. But if the Mets really are thinking about their future they should let Tejada play shortstop now and gain all the experience he can.
Jose Reyes is embarked on what could be one of the top three offensive seasons in Mets franchise history if he maintains these current levels.
Sandy Alderson has said on a couple of occasions this Spring, that he wanted to see what Jose Reyes could do this season before talking about any extension. I wonder if he likes what he sees?
At this point, I don’t see what Jose Reyes has to gain by not waiting until the end of the season to test the free agent waters this off season.
Alderson has rolled the dice and gambled on a few player moves this off season, but the decision to let it all ride on Jose Reyes may end up being the biggest gamble of his tenure as Mets GM, and so far it’s looking like the only winner here will be Jose Reyes who is virtually assured of a $100 million dollar deal barring any disaster. The real question is will he be getting paid in Mets dollars or Phillies dollars like some believe.
If he does end up in Philadelphia, watching him leadoff and wreak havoc on the basepaths against us will be too much to take. At least it will be for me. I would almost rather see him on the Yankees instead of the Phillies – and that idea has been floating around as well.
Things are going to get pretty dicey as the deadline inches closer and closer.
Regardless of how things ultimately turned out, Duquette will always be remembered for trading Scott Kazmir, and Grant for trading Tom Seaver, will it be the same for Alderson if he trades Reyes?
