We've already heard today that the Reds are likely out of the Jose Reyes sweepstakes, as Cincinnati will instead go with rookie Zack Cozart at shortstop next year. Here are some more items and speculation about where Reyes will play in 2012…
- Adam Rubin of ESPN New York asked eight beat writers about Reyes' future, and none of the eight (covering the Angels, Brewers, Giants, Marlins, Nationals, Phillies, Tigers and Yankees) seemed optimistic about Reyes signing with their team.
- From that poll, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle writes that one of the reasons why the Giants won't go after Reyes is because "they believe he's going to sign with the Mets and don't want to be Reyes' stalking horse for his negotiations with Sandy Alderson." We heard last week that the Mets were going to let other teams set the market for Reyes for making their own offer.
- Though Dave Dombrowski seemed to rule out the possibility of acquiring another major free agent earlier in the week, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com thinks Reyes would be perfect for the Tigers. Knobler also thinks the Giants won't be in the running for not only Reyes, but also Jimmy Rollins, as San Francisco will instead target a center fielder.
- Former Mets general managers Steve Phillips and Jim Duquette don't think Reyes will give the Mets a hometown discount, reports Andrew Keh of the New York Times. "The New York teams rarely get hometown discounts because there’s always been an assumption that the New York teams don’t need hometown discounts to keep a player," Phillips said.
Reaper87
Hopefully Knobler is on to something with the Giants. Both Reyes and Rollins are going to take too many years and too much money to sign, and in Rollins’ case on a guy who’s already starting to decline before the deal would even start
55saveslives
If they don’t go for a SS, they better spend on OF bats! Crawford is an automatic out!
Reaper87
Doesn’t look like that much is out there. My gut tells me Beltran will price his way out of our range, so that leaves us going after the likes of Crisp, Willingham, Cuddyer or maybe Doumit
tacko
Or Sizemore and Angel Pagan (if the Mets non-tender him). Pagan would be a great fit at AT&T Park.
55saveslives
I wonder if Florida would make Bonafacio available….that would solve the issue!
Reaper87
That would be awesome, but I’m not holding my breath on that happening. I wonder what it would take to pry him away, probably at least one of Romo or Belt plus more
adammyst
If this were 2010, I would think this is sarcasm. But he had a solid 2011, so I are confused. Belt seems like way too much for Emilio (Emilio!!)
Reaper87
It would be an overpay, but if you are Florida, why would you give him up after his 2011 performance? Someone would have to pry him away I would guess
metsman
any idea of what Rollins might be looking for?
Reaper87
I heard he threw out 5 years as his goal awhile back, but anything past 2 and an option for him scares me. Leg injuries are starting up and his glove is going in the wrong direction
metsman
A declining Rollins is still better than the average shortstop and if he can be had for 2-3 years at 30-40 million I’d prefer that to 5+ years of Reyes for 100-130 million.
wrestlingcritic
I call BS on Dombrowski ruling out Reyes. He fills a big need at SS or 2B, they play in a spacious park perfect for triples and doubles, he hits over .300 out of leadoff, he will revitalize Detroit’s borderline non-existent running game, and they have a large amount of money coming off the books between Ordonez and Guillen (both of whom Dombrowski has already ruled out signing, and they were 2 games away from the WS last year, so that tells me Mike Ilitch will be more than willing to spend extra money this offseason if need be. I think that is more incentive than any other team who are said to be in play for him.
MattCMoore
Reyes looks good… Great, on paper but he has already had leg injuries and thoes are his money makers. Like you said Dombrowski just got out from under 2 bad contracts im not sure he would risk another at this point. A couplebad signings could come back to hurt us when we need to sign Cabrera or Verlander in 4 or 5 yrs or so…
guydavis
You’d have Reyes play 2B? I don’t even..
wrestlingcritic
or is the keyword there. and yeah, if he’s wanting the ass-ton of money that they say he is and he wants to be on a winning team for once in his career, then yeah i would put him at 2B if need be for the good of the team as a whole
Brandon Winakor
Put Reyes on the Sox!
jmcbosox
i hope your sox are white.
mr mojo risin
Steve Phillips, shut yer moufff
Chris
I can’t believe people are buying Dombrowski’s spiel, especially about a lack of cash.
Mike Ilitch himself came out and said he was looking to add one or two “big bats” this off-season. Ilitch has money, he’s a baseball fanatic, and he desperately wants to win a World Series before he dies (he’s 82). He loves big names has demonstrated that he will overpay someone to bring them here (Johnny Damon for example).
The Tigers are in for Jose Reyes, or at least some other big ticket. They’ll make a big sign and talk about how they made some room on the ledgers to grab him. You can take it to the bank.
inleylandwetrust
I really hope we don’t sign Reyes.
MattCMoore
I second that… But if we do I will be happy… Thats weird huh..
Chris
I’m almost indifferent, I’m just annoyed by all the Tigers talk.
Every free agent is going to break down and spend his years in a recovery ward.
Every prospect the Tigers trade will become John Smoltz (this one is actually justified, but taken too far).
So and so isn’t all that good. Such and such is a bum. We’re broke. He’s too expensive.
People are so risk-averse that they lose all objectivity. It’s driving me nuts.
Matt Talbert
I think Boston would be better off skipping on Reyes and handing the keys eventually to Iglesias. Plus you have Lawrie+cheap FA signing that can do an admirable job.
tycobb
Can’t be worse than all the AA is god and all Blue Jays talk on this site…lol
Chris
I just meant in general. I’m a Tigers fan and the general mood is paranoia.
bobskube
Well, he did get Frank Francisco for Mike Napoli…………coronate him already.
James Bowles
haha yeah that was a swing and a miss for sure for AA, but the good outweighs the bad so far IMO. As for Reyes, man who can even guess now, seems like there is no team in the league that seems optimistic about signing him.
Nathan Della Ratta
It’s smart of sandy as a GM to let the market set the price for jose. It helps both him and reyes get a better idea of what he’d be worth. Considering the mets current situation, this could avoid grossly under or over paying for reyes, which in both cases, could seriously threathen the organization. This way nobody gets hurt. Sandy gets to pull the trigger and feel confident, if he wants….
slider32
Keep drinking the cool aid, Sandy is a money ball guy, the Wilpon’s hired him to clean house and give you a low budget team. The Mets will be a bottom feeder for years to come.
tacko
Because the A’s were bottom feeders under Moneyball GMs Alderson and Billy Beane. Right?
guydavis
In all seriousness, you don’t know what you’re talking about, do you? Yours were baseless comments.
metsman
Your take on this is refreshing and logical. Thanks.
guydavis
How could under paying Reyes seriously threaten the organization? Or was that an error?
MetsMagic
Steve Phillips thinks the Mets should let Reyes go, and go find Rey Ordonez and Roberto Alomar to play SS and 2B. Duquette wants them to sign him and trade him for a McDonald’s cashier.
Serdar Sirin
I thought it was pretty clear that Reyes didn’t want to come back to the Mets?
chicothekid
No, Reyes would like to come back, but not at a discount. Funny thing about the whole Reyes situation is that NOBODY thinks they are gonna get him. Not the Mets, not the Giants, not the Yankees, Marlins, Angels, nobody.
tacko
Japan or retirement??
MattCMoore
Rerirement is what I put…
jeenyus245
i wish Sandy had traded Reyes for Cozart at the deadline
MetsMagic
Why would the Reds have traded a prospect for a half season rental?
diehardmets
Why did the Giants trade Wheeler?
MetsMagic
Because the Giants were hoping to bolster a punchless offense in order to strengthen their playoff push. The Reds weren’t in that position.
NYBravosFan10
i don’t care what Bowman says, I can’t see the Braves not going after this guy. Frank Wren is one bad mofo of a GM and always does the unexpected.
Matt Talbert
Love Reyes on Atlanta, but I’d rather have a Bonafacio type who’d come much cheaper.
UnknownPoster
I’m sorry, this has nothing to do with Reyes, but did anyone else really miss the title “Player X Rumors: Thursday”?
slider32
Reyes and Rollins have the best chance of getting what they want from the Marlins, Tigers, Nats, or Giants, so I say Reyes Marlins and Rollins stays with the Phils.
CutTheString
Is it possible to regret signing a player before you even sign him?
Retsyn
Steve Phillips: The Voice of Wisdom.