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On December 7th, 2011, the Mets allowed Jose Reyes to sign in the division with the Miami Marlins. They haven’t had a true leadoff man since.
Sep 16, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets third baseman Jose Reyes (7) celebrates his solo home run against the Minnesota Twins in the dugout with teammates during the third inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The departure of Jose Reyes kind of felt like a sad breakup. Everything was going well, and then out of no where, your significant other is handing you everything you ever bought them in an Applebee’s bag.
Sure, New York had guys like Collin Cowgill, Eric Young Jr. and Jordany Valdespin to fill the leadoff void during his absence, just to painfully name a few. But until Reyes came back to the club in June of this year when he signed a minor league deal, it was a problem.
Under MLB rules and regulations, Reyes was suspended without pay for the Rockies’ first 51 games of the season as of a result of his domestic violence charge during the offseason. Colorado would subsequently release him as well.
After all of this, could Reyes actually come back to the team that drafted him and produce at the top of the lineup? Or would he be a shell of his former self?
How He Fared in 2016
Jul 22, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; New York Mets third baseman Jose Reyes (7) scores a run during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Through 60 games with New York last year, Reyes played particularly well for a team decimated by injury.
Playing mostly third base as a result of Asdrubal Cabrera being the everyday shortstop and David Wright‘s injury, Reyes started off well. As the season progressed, he fielding at third base took a little bit of a hit. Finishing the season with a .948 fielding percentage at third through 50 games started, compare that to Cheslor Cuthbert on the Kansas City Royals, who finished with the same percentage in 127 games (123 started/ ranked 15th among third basemen). In 13 games played and 10 games started at shortstop, Reyes did not commit an error, however.
At the plate, Reyes gave the Mets his usual spark that he always brings to the table. In 279 plate appearances, Reyes batted .267 with 8 home runs and 24 RBIs. One of the biggest numbers from his offensive season was his slugging percentage. Though it was in 66 fewer games, Reyes finished with a .443 slugging percentage, his highest since 2011 (.493).
As for stolen bases, Reyes led the Mets yet again with 9 for the season, even though he played in less than 50% of games in 2016.
Areas to Improve Upon
Sep 25, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets third baseman Jose Reyes (7) doubles to left center allowing two runners to score during the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Because Reyes will be used in a lot of different situations next year, his fielding percentages will have to be higher than usual. While he’s fine defensively at shortstop, he’ll be used primarily at 3rd, 2nd and possibly even the outfield (depending how that goes during spring training).
As a leadoff man is how Reyes is best utilized. I have a feeling we might see his walks move up next year because when he’s on base, good things happen. Being walked 23 times last year through 60 games is a pretty decent number. If he starts the majority of the season, that number should be between 50-60 if the Mets want the most out of Reyes’ speed.
Projected Role in 2017
Aug 27, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets third baseman Jose Reyes (7) reacts after scoring on a home run by New York Mets center fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) in the fourth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Because of a pretty packed infield, we will most likely see Reyes in the outfield at certain parts of the season. We don’t know how David Wright’s health will hold up, so expect to see him on the hot corner for most of the season.
As for the middle infield, Reyes will obviously be used on days to give Neil Walker and Asdrubal Cabrera time off. It’s always a good problem when you have an excess of players who can play multiple positions. Especially with how last season went, New York could use all the healthy players they can find. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing Reyes in a multitude of positions to help the Mets succeed.
Contract Status and Trade Rumors
Aug 26, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets third baseman Jose Reyes (7) reacts rounding the bases after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Signing a minor league contract with the Mets last June, New York exercised their club option on Reyes for the 2017 season for the league minimum (1 yr/$535,000).
Becoming a free agent after the season, it depends on how Reyes plays, especially in different roles, to see if the Mets, or any team for that matter, wold offer him another contract. If he plays well, it wouldn’t shock me to see him come back to the Mets, whether it’s on another 1 year deal or not.
This is obviously a place Reyes wants to be, and a place where the Mets like Reyes. If the opportunity presents itself yet again, I think both sides could come to an agreement.
Jose gifs!
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