New York Mets infielder Jose Reyes took fly balls on Wednesday at the First Data Field complex in center field.
Reyes at least getting some reps in center has been talked about for awhile and the Mets stuck to their plan despite the recent setback for David Wright that makes Jose the team’s everyday third baseman.
The outfield is basically brand new for Reyes who hasn’t played out there since appearing in one game in left field for the Kingsport Mets during his first season of pro ball in 2000.
Mike Puma of the New York Post, got the chance to talk to Jose about playing in the outfield, “I like to run a lot,” Reyes said. “I like to chase the balls.”
The Mets have plenty of options when it comes to third base in the likes of Wilmer Flores, T.J. Rivera, Matt Reynolds and even prospect Gavin Cecchini made his debut there on Tuesday.
Still, it seems like the best plan to handle third base a majority of the time would be Reyes whom played 50 games at the position in 2016. Reyes hit .267/.326/.443 with 13 doubles, four triples, eight home runs, nine stolen bases for the Mets after they signed him in late June.
Reyes, much like probable center fielder Curtis Granderson, doesn’t have the same speed or range he used to have. The last time Reyes posted a positive RngR (range runs) or UZR was in 2009 with the Mets. Since 2009, Reyes has been subpar defensively with an aggregate -44 DRS in that time span including -6 DRS at third for the Mets last season.
Mets manager Terry Collins doesn’t see using Reyes in center as more than a backup option, telling the Post, “he’s the guy, you’ve got to double-switch and need somebody to go out there in center field, he might be the guy. He’s not going to get a lot of playing time, but as long as he’s comfortable that is all that matters.”
As I mentioned before, the Mets have an abundance of options at third base and will have only one legit center fielder on the roster so getting Reyes reps in center makes sense. With that said, I don’t expect him to be out there often except for the double-switch type situation Collins talked about or a long extra inning game.
