The Rockies acted decisively on Wednesday of this week, designating Jose Reyes for assignment rather than affording him the opportunity to settle into a bench role upon returning from his suspension under the league’s domestic violence policy. Said manager Walt Weiss today in an appearance on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (audio link): “To bring in Reyes, we were going to lose either [Cristhian] Adames or [Daniel] Descalso. … Adames is a young player who’s a very good player, there’s not a lot of at-bats for him or innings for him right now because we got three potential All-Stars in the infield. … Don’t want to lose him, especially at his age. And Descalso has meant so much to this club and in the clubhouse. He’s one of those guys that’s been the constants of our team, and he’s swinging the bat very very well. … You’re going to lose one of those guys if you bring in Reyes. And Story, certainly is going to be looking over his shoulder if that’s the case. For our club, for the culture of our club and what we’re doing right now and the good thing we’ve got going, I think it was going to be counterproductive. I think it’s the best thing for Jose, too.”
Here’s the latest on Reyes, who figures to be released in the coming days…
- ESPN’s Alex Cora tweeted yesterday that the Royals have looked into Reyes as a second base option following the DFA of Omar Infante, though his colleague Jerry Crasnick later tweeted that while there was a brief inquiry, it may have been little more than due diligence. Both Whit Merrifield and Christian Colon are playing well right now, so there isn’t necessarily a clear need to take a chance on Reyes. MLB.com’s Jeffrey Flanagan, meanwhile, tweeted that rumors suggesting that the Royals have interest in Reyes were “simply not true.”
- Neither the Yankees nor the Mets have interest in adding Reyes, reports Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports. Some Mets fans have expressed hope that the team will pursue a reunion with its former All-Star shortstop in the wake of injuries throughout the infield, but Heyman writes that a reunion for the two sides “simply isn’t in the offing” despite a potential need in the infield. Newsday’s David Lennon writes that having spoken to people close to Reyes, a reunion with the Mets would be his preference, and Reyes is willing to move over to third base. That, of course, is largely inconsequential if there’s no interest from the Mets’ side of the equation, and both Heyman and ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin have reported that to be the case since Reyes was designated on Wednesday.
- The Rockies never wanted Reyes in the first place, writes Bob Nightengale of USA Today, but his inclusion in last summer’s trade helped to offset Troy Tulowitzki‘s remaining salary and allowed the team to add a trio of intriguing of young arms to to its minor league ranks. Colorado has been trying to trade Reyes since last July without success, Nightengale writes, and ultimately his suspension and off-field issues left the team with no choice but to release him. “It’s fair to say it was responsible to the situation and to the organization that we talk through every sort of conceivable situation,” GM Jeff Bridich said following Reyes’ DFA. “We certainly had enough time to do that. At the end of the day, we determined that it was best we part ways — best for the direction of the organization, best for what was going on in the clubhouse and best for Jose.”
Stop being hypocrites Reyes is in the same boat as Chapman now he’s the August 1st hottest ticket – some of the fans need to get off there high horse- he deserves a second chance. Next year is now for some teams.
Difference is, Reyes isn’t at all good anymore anyways. Chapman is
Chapman is still an elite closer, so teams will be willing to look past his transgressions.
Reyes was one of the worst offensive players in baseball last season following his trade to the Rockies and scouts have said he can’t handle shortstop anymore for a couple of years.
There’s no reason to excuse what either player (allegedly) did, but Reyes looked untradeable at the end of last season even before his off-field issues arose.
Very good points, Steve.. Well put!
He wasn’t that bad for Colorado. He hit .259 with a .291 OBP and 9 HR’s in 47 games. Nothing near his prime numbers but still pretty good for a shortstop;He may have lost a step defensively but still a passable option.
Getting a player of his talent for the league minimum should be a no-brainer for any team that has a need at that position.
A .291 OBP isn’t good outside of Coors field, never mind at Coors field. He’s gone from a 50-70 SB guy to a 15-30 SB guy and now, in his early to mid 30’s will likely be regressing further. His range has decreased to a point where his UZR rating is atrocious for a SS and, as for a move to 2B, that didn’t go well the first time it was tried (back when he actually had above average range during the Mets Kaz Matsui experiment).
“Club never wanted him in the first place,” wow that is telling. When he is released, it will be interesting to see who gives him the opportunity. Have his skills diminished that bad? I know there is the PR hit, but from this series of information, seems like more teams have a lack of interest more due to his lack of expected performance.
Nah, uts more the pr nightmare. Hegot released by the rockies which means teams just have to pay him league minimum. Doubt teams are balking at paying him league minimum due to his lack of production.
Right, but I mean, like Steve pointed out above, hard to pay even that league minimum when the PR hit is what will kill the team. I could see Atlanta taking him as they clearly are having enough issues with the fans, maybe the guy rebuilds his image and stats. Both of which are seemingly tough chances.
Yes ATL has plenty of issues with us fans. Don’t think it would be wise to add this one. We are having a hard enough time forgetting about Hector Oliveras to take on Jose.
Decent stance, understandable.
White Sox will in a heartbeat! That’s their MO
Older players on their last leg
And with character issues, to boot. Sounds about right.
they got Tim Anderson playing great right now and Tyler Salidino who is great defensively and hitting well lately no wake they take him
Every hater of a team uses this.
Donate 10 mill to battered womens shelters in the USA. Only way he gets another chance is by showing remorse and donating a significant amount to helping women of domestic violence. Also, wouldnt be a bad
Alternative to have language in his contract so reyes pays for a couple women w kids displaced by domestic violence to come out to the ball park, see a game w the kids, meet some players etc per month.
I dont think signing him will have as much blow back if the team takes steps to repair his image by being an advocate for helping women of domestic abuse.
I didn’t think that the Mets would be interested in him, but it’s a relief to have confirmation.
Reyes really didn’t loose his job in Colorodo. He just getting paid to do nothing now.
Best unemployment rates I. America.
In*
Can’t lose what you never had. He never actually had a job in Colorado. They were just essentially forced to take him in the Tulo deal
From a starting standpoint, you could guess that Walt Weiss’s treatment of Reyes’ activation may increase other team’s ability to sustain interest in trading for Jose if he’s open to coming off the bench and field any position.
PR nightmare and a below par player? Bad combination for his job prospects.