The New York Mets have a well-documented history with Jose Reyes. His tenure as a member of the Mets has had its fair share of high points, most notably his role in helping to bring the team back to relevancy in the mid-2000’s and winning the 2011 National League batting title.
He’s also had some very prominent low points. His injury history and the inconsistencies in his effort at times have cast a dark shadow on the once-uber-talented Dominican native.
Oh, and there’s also the abhorrent 2015 domestic abuse charge. He was given a 51-game suspension for allegedly grabbing his wife by the throat and shoving her into a sliding glass door (his wife refused to cooperate with authorities and the charges were dropped).
The team brought Reyes back into the fold in 2016, after serving his suspension, and he hit .267/.326/.443 in 60 games (255 at-bats). He regressed at the plate last season (.246/.315/.413 in 145 games), and his fielding went from mediocre to cringe-worthy (-2 DRS/0.7 UZR in 2016 to -15 DRS/-1.4 UZR in 2017).
He was able to hit lefties well last season (.267/.343/.500 in 120 at-bats), which is part of the reason that he was brought back into the mix this season on a one-year, $2 million deal, along with the ill-perceived notion that he could adapt well into a utility role.
That plan for the 35-year-old has gone as bad as many expected. But, according to Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News, Reyes still has no plans to retire.
“My body feels good. I am not thinking about (retiring) at all,” Reyes said. “I feel like I can still play. Obviously, I am frustrated because when I do get chances I am not getting the job done.”
Reyes went 5-for-31 in April and didn’t collect his first hit of the season until April 21. He got additional opportunities in May due and did absolutely nothing with them (5-for-41), and has since been relegated to pinch-hitting (1-for-5 in June)
His fielding has become lackadaisical. His bat is practically non-existent. Whether or not Jose Reyes is “thinking about retiring”, it really shouldn’t make a difference at this point.
Nostalgia aside, he brings nothing to the table anymore. Based on that fact alone, it’s been time to go as the Mets can’t continue to play with a 24-man roster.
