The Mets are bringing Jose Reyes back

The Mets are bringing Jose Reyes back

by Brian Erni January 25, 2018 0 Comments

Jose Reyes is back for another go 'round with the New York Mets.

According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, Reyes and the Mets are in an agreement on a one-year deal with the understanding that Reyes will be a utility infielder.

Fan Rag Sports' Jon Heyman says the deal is for $2 million, with another $500,000 possible through incentives.

We probably should have expected this, especially if you were keeping tabs on Jose's social media today.

I like it for many reasons. First, Reyes is still a very useful offensive player. Despite an abysmal start to the 2017 season, Reyes ended up being worth 2.0 oWAR. He still has plenty to give on offense, which includes the speed element, something Sandy Alderson's Mets teams have always lacked.

Secondly, it's clear that Amed Rosario loves Jose and views him as a mentor. The two have talked at length this offseason about the close relationship they enjoy, and with the Mets having so much vested in Rosario's success, bringing back Reyes is a good idea on that basis alone.

But what I love the most is that the Mets are still looking to add a starting second baseman.

Listen, I love Reyes' contributions on the field over the years as much as the next Mets fan, but it's clear his defense leaves quite a bit to be desired. In his age-35 season, he probably can and will be a fine offensive contributor, but this team shouldn't count on him to play at the defensive level he was at when he was 21, or play in as many games (145) as he did last season.

As long as the Mets go out and get someone like Neil Walker, Josh Harrison, or Eduardo Nunez to play second (or Todd Frazier or Mike Moustakas to play third, shifting Asdrubal Cabrera to second), and Reyes is going to be a veteran depth bat and a pinch runner in key situations, then this is a solid move. 

Of course, that still has to happen. And I'm aware that it's always a very real possibility that the Mets change their minds and just go with what the have, which right now, would be Reyes and Wilmer Flores. But it looks like the Mets know Reyes' limitations at this stage in his career, and they want to utilize him for the strengths that remain in his game without overexposing his weaknesses. If they can do that correctly, we should have a lot of fun watching Jose do his thing.




Brian Erni
Brian Erni

Author




Also in The 7 Line Blog

Freddy P's Tailgate Empanadas
Freddy P's Tailgate Empanadas

by Darren Meenan September 25, 2023 0 Comments

Pre-order your Tailgate Empanadas! Freddy P is a Mets fan with a local business that we'd love to shine a spotlight on. What started as a simple chicken empanada tray for a holiday dinner turned in to a hustle around the 5 boroughs. 

Read More

The Final Tailgate Of 2023
The Final Tailgate Of 2023

by The 7 Line September 18, 2023 0 Comments

If you haven't hit a tailgate this season, you have one last chance! Come close out 2023 on Sunday October 1st at Citi Field. Kick the day off with us in the Marina Lot as we put a bow on this season. 

Read More

Tailgate with The 7 Line Army on September 16th
Tailgate with The 7 Line Army on September 16th

by The 7 Line September 12, 2023 0 Comments

Tailgate with us on Saturday September 16th at Citi Field! Kick the night off with us in the Marina Lot! The Mets take on the Reds at 7:10pm so we expect fans to start showing up around 3pm. If you can't swing that early, just get there when ya get there.

Read More

.video-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; padding-top: 30px; height: 0; overflow: hidden; }