2012 MLB Free Agents: Mets Say No Way to Jose
By Editorial Staff
It’s no surprise that Jose Reyes will be looking for a mega-free agent deal this winter. Joel Sherman of the New York Post spoke with one Mets’ official who thinks Reyes’ steep tab means the shortstop is unlikely to return to the Big Apple in 2012. When asked of the chances of the sides reaching an agreement, the official told Sherman there “is no shot”.
While the official thinks that if general manager Sandy Alderson asked for the cash, “ownership would follow his recommendations”. But, the official doesn’t think this would “be the best way to spend the money”; not on one player and especially “not one player with this hamstring thing”.
Another official thinks that Reyes “will be blown away” by another club, so this will likely be a moot point. Even with Reyes’ injury history, Sherman can see the 28-year-old fetching “six years in the $114 million range”. For Reyes to remain in Flushing, Sherman says the contract would have to be “four years at somewhere between $15 million and $17 million annually”.
Our own Joe Soriano thinks that Reyes could be worth $100 million, but doesn’t think clubs should go above five years. Joe’s reasoning is the obvious injury history as well as Reyes’ imminent drop-off in speed.
There’s no question that Reyes is the top free agent shortstop on the market and one of the best overall players in the 2012 class. He lit up the stat sheets last season and is certain to cash in this winter. Several teams have been tied to him already, and the one who is able to reel him in will probably have to go north of five years and $100 million.
With his track record, it’s easy to see why some are hesitant to extend this kind of deal to Reyes. But, with several clubs in need of additional offensive production, someone is likely to give in to the desires of Reyes and his representation.
For more on the Mets, be sure to check out Rising Apple.
You can check out all of the available free agents by position below.