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Jose Reyes

Reyes Expects To Talk Contract With Mets Soon

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Jose Reyes told Newsday’s Nick Klopsis that the Mets haven’t started discussing a new contract with him, but the shortstop hinted that he expects dialogue to begin before long. 

"They'll probably start up within the next few days," Reyes said. "But right now, everything's quiet."

The Mets have exclusive negotiating rights with the prospective free agent until five days after the World Series ends. They tried discussing a new contract with Reyes during the summer, but postponed contract talks until after the season ended. Reyes maintains that he wants to re-sign with the Mets, who will likely lower their payroll to the $100-$110MM range for next season.

Reyes finished the 2011 season with a .337/.384/.493 line, 31 doubles, 39 stolen bases and a league-leading 16 triples. He solidified his case for a generous free agent contract last month, when he posted an .854 OPS and won the National League batting title.

Alderson On Mets, Reyes, Payroll, Madoff

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Mets GM Sandy Alderson gave an end-of-the-year review today at Citi Field and, unsurprisingly, most of the talk was about Jose Reyes' future.  Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger has the full transcript of Alderson's remarks, but here are some of the highlights…

  • Alderson expects to be in contact with Reyes' representation within the next couple of days, though he is very doubtful that they could agree to an extension during the Mets' exclusive negotiating window.  "If history is any guide, most players who get to this point don’t see any reason to make a decision within the next 30 days, that close to free agency," Alderson said.
  • If Reyes doesn't return, Alderson didn't rule out the possibility of going after another major free agent, noting that "it's a fluid market."
  • Alderson has a "choking point" in mind as to how much the Mets are willing to spend to retain Reyes' services.  The GM noted, however, that this figure could rise depending on how the rest of the market for Reyes plays out.
  • The Mets' 2012 payroll will in the range of $100-110MM, though this could obviously be boosted should Reyes be re-signed.
  • The Bernie Madoff scandal and its financial fallout "has a lingering effect" on the Wilpons, Alderson believes.  The Wilpons received a favorable court ruling yesterday, which Alderson said provides a better outlook for both ownership and the club itself.
  • The Mets' defense "needs to be improved dramatically."  Alderson also wants to improve the bullpen and figures he'll probably spend more on relievers than he did last winter.
  • In response to a question about who New York's center fielder will be next year, Alderson spoke of the need for improved outfield defense and didn't mention Angel Pagan.  McCullough figures this is a sign that Pagan will be non-tendered, as "the new front office has not been impressed with his play."

Jose Reyes’ Final Month: Part Two

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About a month ago, I explained that each player to sign a free agent contract worth more than $100MM since the 2007-08 offseason capped his walk year with a healthy, productive final month. At the time, Jose Reyes was returning from an extended stint on the disabled list – his second trip to the DL of the season – and his free agent value was far from finalized.

“For Reyes to join Carl Crawford in the $100MM club,” I wrote at the time, “he’ll probably have to show interested teams that he has recovered from the left hamstring issue that sidelined him for the past three weeks. No matter what Reyes does, he won’t silence questions about his ability to stay healthy for an entire season. But if the 28-year-old can finish 2011 with one more month of electrifying play, he’ll have a stronger case for a contract worth $100MM or more.”

Whether or not you agree with Reyes’ decision to leave today’s game after raising his league-high average to .337 with a bunt single, there’s no denying that his final month has been statistically strong and, just as importantly, healthy. Reyes has appeared in 25 of the Mets’ 28 games and has a line of .340/.411/.443 for the month with four stolen bases in as many attempts and a pair of home runs (both homers came yesterday). 

His season line sits at .337/.384/.493 and he has a league-leading 16 triples to go along with 31 doubles and 39 stolen bases. He's sixth among NL position players in FanGraphs' wins above replacement and there's a good chance he'll win the batting title over Ryan Braun.

Some teams will shy away from Reyes because of his injury history, but plenty of potential suitors are still out there. Will he obtain $100MM? Recent history says he has done his part. Now it’s up to team owners to make their offers.

Mets Rumors: Lawsuit, Reyes, Offseason

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The Mets close out their season this afternoon at Citi Field, with Miguel Batista facing the Reds' Edinson Volquez.  The latest on New York's National League club…

  • Manhattan federal judge Jed Rakoff tossed out nine of the 11 counts in Irving Picard's $1 billion complaint against Mets owners Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz, reports Kaja Whitehouse of the New York Post.  Rakoff set the ceiling at $386MM in an order issued today, according to the Associated Press.
  • Mets manager Terry Collins had this to say to David Lennon of Newsday on impending free agent shortstop Jose Reyes: "I think he'll be back."  Reyes presents a lose-lose scenario for the Mets, writes Joel Sherman of the New York Post, because the fan base would be upset if the shortstop leaves but he does not necessarily represent a sound investment.  Sherman is of the opinion that Reyes "will receive nothing less than six years for $114MM in free agency," which equates to $19MM per year.
  • Reyes was pulled after singling in his first at-bat today, to preserve an NL-leading .3370577 batting average.  Strange way to end what could have been Reyes' last game as a Met.  Ryan Braun could top Reyes' mark tonight by going 3-for-3 or 3-for-4.
  • ESPNNewYork's Adam Rubin analyzes the Mets' upcoming offseason.  He believes Mike Pelfrey will return and Angel Pagan will not, and the Mets are also displeased with the recent performance of catcher Ronny Paulino.  For estimated salaries on all five arbitration eligible Mets, click here.
  • Though the Mets would like to re-sign Chris Capuano, Rubin believes the lefty would have to fight for a rotation spot.  I'd be surprised if Capuano is willing to do that.
  • Rubin expects the Mets to go outside the organization for a closer, and sign a second lefty as well.

AL East Notes: Reyes, Rays, Francona, Montero

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All eyes will be on a trio of AL East matchups today, as the Rays take on the Blue Jays while the Yankees and Red Sox play a split doubleheader in the Bronx. By the end of the day, we could see a massive swing one way or the other in the Wild Card race. If the Sox sweep the doubleheader and the Rays fall to Toronto, Boston would clinch at least a tie of the Wild Card. On the other hand, if the Rays beat the Jays and the Yanks win a pair at home, Tampa Bay and Boston will be tied heading into the season's final series. While we look forward to today's slate of games, let's check out the latest links from the division….

  • The Rays asked the Mets about Jose Reyes' availability in June, according to Newsday's Ken Davidoff. Reyes' stock was incredibly high at the time – he was healthy and hit .352/.397/.529 through the season's first three months – so the Mets turned away the Rays' inquiries.
  • Within Davidoff's piece, Rays GM Andrew Friedman said his team won't feel the need to trade any starting pitching this winter: "We can't be cavalier about the depth that we have right now."
  • Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports takes a look at Terry Francona's future in Boston, wondering whether the skipper will be the scapegoat if the Red Sox miss the playoffs.
  • The Yankees should give Jesus Montero a chance to catch the season's last few games to see if he's a viable option behind the plate, argues Filip Bondy of the New York Daily News.

Quick Hits: Capuano, Nunez, Ramirez, Jackson

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Some links on this Saturday evening…

Shaun Marcum and Zack Greinke

NL East Notes: Wang, Rollins, Nunez, Capuano

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The Nationals have won nine of their last eleven games, including a four-game sweep of the Phillies.  They'll try to keep their hot streak alive tonight against the struggling Braves, who hold just a two-game lead over the Cardinals in the NL wild card race.  Some news from the NL East….

  • The Nationals are in the "preliminary stages" of negotiations with Chien-Ming Wang about an extension, Wang's agent Alan Nero tells MLB.com's Bill Ladson (Twitter link).
  • C.C. Sabathia thinks Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins may sign with the Giants in the offseason, reports Jon Heyman from Sports Illustrated (Twitter link).  Sabathia and Rollins are long-time friends and, as Heyman notes, Rollins was the first to predict that Sabathia would sign with the Yankees in the 2008-09 offseason.
  • The Marlins may have been unable to deal Leo Nunez at the trade deadline due to the ongoing saga of Nunez's true identity, reports Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.  Within that same link, Dan LeBatard is reporting that Major League Baseball (who must've been aware of Nunez's issues, as the Marlins were) nixed a deal involving Nunez last July.
  • Chris Capuano is interested in returning to the Mets next year but said he prefers to be a starting pitcher whenever he goes, reports Andy Martino of the New York Daily News.
  • Jose Reyes likes playing for the Mets but isn't sure how his free agency will play out this winter, reports Adam Rubin of ESPN New York.  "This is the only team that I played [for] so far in my whole career," Reyes said. "I feel comfortable here. I feel good with the ownership. I feel like we are family and stuff like that. At the same time, this is a business. And to be honest with you, I don't know what's going to happen. 
  • Davey Johnson wants the Nationals to add some outfield depth this winter, writes MLB.com's Bill Ladson.
  • Tyler Kepner of the New York Times explores the possibility that southpaw Mike Zagurski (dealt from the Phillies to the Diamondbacks earlier today) could end up returning to Philadelphia as the player to be named later in the deal, a rare "traded for himself" move.

Mets Rumors: Closer, Reyes, Wright

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The Mets currently project for the 13th overall draft pick next June, same as this year.  The latest on the club:

  • Mets GM Sandy Alderson talked at length about closers yesterday, as usual leaving the door open for most possibilities.  He explained to ESPN's Adam Rubin that the closer position "needs to be a point of concentration for us," and wouldn't rule out signing one of the big-name free agent closers.  He added, "There are no concessions from me," implying he's not interested in signing a stopgap closer.  On the other hand, a "cheap, proven veteran" is exactly the route Mike Puma of the New York Post expects Alderson to take after listening to the GM make the same comments.  No matter what the Mets decide to do, it'll all be covered in detail at our @CloserNews Twitter feed and CloserNews.com.
  • Alderson expects to know early on which direction the Jose Reyes situation is headed, he told Rubin.  He won't count on an early resolution, but he admitted "everything will be contingent on how that turns out."  Ruben Tejada appears to be Plan B for the Mets at shortstop, writes David Lennon of Newsday.
  • Third baseman David Wright is showing greatly diminished range, a rival scout tells Andrew Keh of the New York Times.

Stark On Dodgers, Marlins, Mets, Thome

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The Dodgers and Marlins may turn out to be surprisingly big spenders this offseason, Jayson Stark writes at ESPN.com. Here are the details and the rest of Stark’s rumors…

  • Dodgers GM Ned Colletti told Stark that he intends be aggressive in his attempts to retain key contributors this offseason. "It's our intent to sign some of our core guys long-term," Colletti said. "It's also our intent to improve the club." Colletti acknowledged that it “remains to be seen" whether the Dodgers’ ownership issues will affect the team’s attempts to lock up the likes of Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and Clayton Kershaw.
  • Florida president David Samson told Stark that this offseason will be different than most for the Marlins. "With our payroll going up, we have a chance to put together a team at a payroll level we don't currently have," Samson said. Rival front offices get the sense that the Marlins plan to go all-in this offseason before moving into their new stadium.
  • The Mets don’t appear to be interested in waiting around for Jose Reyes to weigh various offers this winter. 
  • Stark hears that Jim Thome is undecided about whether he’ll play in 2012.
  • MLB won’t add playoff teams in 2012, according to Stark.

Potential Suitors For Jose Reyes

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It's not often that five-tool middle infielders hit free agency in their prime. Jose Reyes has a .329/.372/.485 line with 35 stolen bases and a league-leading 16 triples this season, so, despite his history of getting hurt, he will draw plenty of attention when he hits the free agent market this winter. Here's an early look at 13 possible suitors for the 28-year-old, who will cost any team but the Mets a top draft pick in 2012…

Apparent Fits

  • Mets – Reyes has repeatedly stated his interest in staying in New York and the Mets appear to be open to bringing him back. They aren’t likely to offer seven years, but they figure to be involved until the end.
  • Giants – Brandon Crawford could step in next year, while Mike Fontenot and Emmanuel Burriss figure to be reserves if they're back in 2012. On paper, the Giants are one of the best fits for Reyes, who would make the San Francisco lineup much more intimidating.
  • Nationals – Despite Ian Desmond's presence at short, the Nationals could be a factor in the Reyes bidding this offseason. They’ve already been linked to Reyes in speculative looks ahead to the offseason.
  • Phillies – Jimmy Rollins hits free agency after the season and GM Ruben Amaro Jr. has never been one to shy away from the best players out there.

Other Possibilities

  • Tigers – Jhonny Peralta has had a banner year for Detroit, but he has lots of experience at third base, so the Tigers could move him back to the hot corner to create space. Reyes would seem to be a fit for spacious Comerica Park.
  • Reds – There are no guarantees for Paul Janish or Edgar Renteria in 2012. Zack Cozart is a logical internal shortstop candidate for Cincinnati, assuming he recovers from Tommy John surgery on his non-throwing elbow and is ready for Spring Training 2012. But would the Reds really offer Reyes more money than they’ve spent on any player since Ken Griffey Jr.?
  • Twins – In a way, the Twins don't pass the sniff test as a possible suitor for Reyes. They've already committed $65MM to next year's team and it's hard to imagine them carrying two $20MM players. But there's room for improvement in a middle infield that now features Tsuyoshi Nishioka, Luke Hughes, Trevor Plouffe and Matt Tolbert.
  • Angels – If the Angels want to make a splash, they could sign Reyes and trade Erick Aybar. They don't have a pressing need at short, however.
  • Braves – It seems more likely that the Braves will work out a deal with Alex Gonzalez, but they do have an opening at short this winter.
  • Cardinals – The Cardinals are interested in re-signing Rafael Furcal and would like to see what former first rounder Tyler Greene can do. Bringing Albert Pujols back figures to be the Cards' top offseason priority, so a run at Reyes seems unlikely.
  • Brewers – Like the Cardinals, the Brewers have room for improvement at shortstop. Adding Reyes could help make up for the possible loss of free agent Prince Fielder.
  • Red Sox – The Red Sox are big spenders, but it's not easy to imagine their front office signing another position player to a nine figure deal so soon after locking Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez up. It's possible, since Marco Scutaro won't necessarily return and Reyes offers far more pop than Jose Iglesias.
  • Astros – Clint Barmes hits free agency, so the Astros will have an opening at short. It would be incredibly surprising to see Houston pursue such an expensive player after losing 100 games, especially since incoming owner Jim Crane is expected to lower payroll if and when the team's ownership transfer finally goes through.
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