Major League Baseball

Marlins' Reyes: Mets 'didn't want me'

Published Dec. 7, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

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It's pretty clear to Jose Reyes why he's not a New York Met any more.

"They didn't make me an offer," Reyes said Wednesday at a news conference introducing him as a Miami Marlin at the Winter Meetings in Dallas. "They didn't want me."

Reyes agreed to a six-year, $106 million deal with the Marlins after the Mets decided to not make the shortstop an official offer, since GM Sandy Alderson said he knew the team wouldn't match what Reyes was looking for.

"I'm not going to say I'm disappointed," Reyes said after putting on the Marlins' new jersey and hat. "They had their own choices. I have to move on."

After the news conference, Reyes was asked by the MLB Network if he was surprised the Mets did not put in an offer.

"At least — I've been there my whole career," said the 2011 National League batting champion.

Although Reyes did not receive a no-trade clause from Miami, the deal is back-loaded. Reyes will get $10 million in each of the first two years, $16 million in 2014 and then $22 million each season from 2015-17. There is an option for a seventh season at $22 million or a $4 million buyout.

Reyes also will have to lose his dreadlocks, since the Marlins have a team policy forbidding long hair.

Reyes repeatedly mentioned the Marlins' move to begin recruiting him at 12:01 a.m. on the first day of free agency, with team owner Jeffrey Loria and other team hierarchy going to the Hotel Carlyle in Manhattan to meet Reyes.

"That was huge for me," Reyes said. "That showed they wanted me."

Reyes thanked the Mets for giving him an opportunity to play in the majors and the New York fans for standing by him throughout his years with the Mets.

"The fans showed me a lot of love," Reyes said. "In good times and bad times, they never walked away."

Reyes also said he hasn't had a chance to speak with his new teammate, Hanley Ramirez, who is reportedly upset about having to move from shortstop to third base.

"I'm looking forward to playing with one of the best players in the game," Reyes said.
 

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