Major League Baseball

Reyes says he's eager to play with Ramirez

Published Dec. 16, 2011 10:18 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

New Miami Marlins shortstop Jose Reyes misspoke Friday talking about the teammate he bumped to third base, Hanley Ramirez.

''I can't wait to play for, er, with Hanley,'' Reyes said.

If Reyes played for Ramirez, there would be no change at shortstop. Instead, Ramirez is reluctantly giving up the position.

Reyes signed a $106 million, six-year deal with Miami last week and said he hasn't heard from Ramirez since. There has been no phone call, text message or Christmas card from his pal and fellow Dominican.

Meanwhile, speculation persists that Ramirez is unhappy about being supplanted at shortstop.

''As soon as I have the opportunity, I'm going to talk to him, because we are very good friends,'' Reyes said. ''We're both here for one reason - to win the World Series. It doesn't matter where I'm going to play or where he's going to play.''

Reyes and another recent All-Star acquisition, closer Heath Bell, were in Miami for appearances at team retail outlets. Both said they expect big things from the Marlins after the team's recent $191 million spending spree, which also included the signing of All-Star left-hander Mark Buehrle.

''If you see the lineup and the pieces we have, you have to think we can compete with anybody,'' Reyes said.

The Marlins went 72-90 in 2011. But thanks to the free-agent signings, the hiring of manager Ozzie Guillen and the move into a new ballpark, they're brimming with optimism.

''We want to win now,'' Bell said. ''The Marlins had talent last year and in years past. They didn't really put up the numbers they wanted to. But you needed a few pieces to the puzzle. You get somebody like Buehrle and Jose, and hopefully I can finish games like I did in the past - I think that will help this talented ballclub to win the division and hopefully the World Series.''

That sounded good to president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest.

''These are major moves for us,'' he said. ''We didn't just bring in players. We brought in All-Star players who want to win world championships.''

The Marlins aren't done shopping. They remain in the market for a starting pitcher but have said they would be content going into spring training with the roster they have.

With Reyes at shortstop and Ramirez at third, the Marlins become stronger defensively at both positions, and more potent offensively. Reyes hit .337 with the New York Mets this year to win the NL batting title, and Ramirez - a career .306 hitter - was the 2009 batting champ.

''We can be one of the best left sides of the infield in the big leagues,'' Reyes said.

He's so excited about the situation he doesn't even mind losing his familiar dreadlocks. They'll be shorn before spring training to conform to the Marlins' grooming code.

''It's going to be a new look for me - no hair,'' Reyes said with a laugh. ''It doesn't matter, because in the past I didn't have any hair, so it's not going to affect my game at all.''

share

Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Major League Baseball