31-year-old Jose Reyes of the Toronto Blue Jays recently returned from a cracked rib and an oblique strained back to his familiar position at shortstop. But is it for the betterment of the team?
During his time on the disabled list, prospect Ryan Goins came up from Buffalo to man the shortstop position. Goins’ success at shortstop during Reyes’ time off had the team wondering what happens to him when Reyes returns. An injury to rookie second baseman Devon Travis provided the opportunity to move Goins over to second base temporarily.
Since returning from the DL, Reyes has already committed three errors and has a fielding percentage of only .953 on the season.
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The Blue Jays have not fared well in games decided by two runs or less. They have a record of 2-9 over the past 15 contests. More attentive play on defense would definitely help them in their cause to win those close contests. While the clubs 29 errors rank them in the better half of MLB, Reyes value at shortstop has to be in question.
He’s due $66 million from 2015-2017 by Toronto under his current contract. His bat still appears to be an asset, but his erratic play and digressive range at shortstop is noticeable. In order to get the most out of him, perhaps the Blue Jays should consider moving him to the outfield. Reyes hasn’t put up a substantial dWAR number since his 2007 season when it was 1.8. It has been in the negatives ever since 2011.
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There is a lot of pressure on the Toronto Blue Jays to win with their $128 million payroll. Whether fans or ownership want to admit it or not, drastic moves must be made if they want to win in 2015. The American League East is wide open this year as all five teams have their share of issues. Manager John Gibbons should approach Reyes and ask him to consider changing from his accustomed shortstop position to the outfield. Forget what he has done in the past during his time with the New York Mets or the Miami Marlins. If Reyes wants to win and make the team better, he needs to understand Goins is the better defensive play at shortstop.
Reyes’ contract is a huge financial stronghold on the flexibility of the Blue Jays. You might be laughing at the thought of him playing the outfield, but a move to third base is not feasible. The team already has Josh Donaldson there. Travis is the future at second base, so greener pastures make the most sense for Reyes.
The future is uncertain for outfielder Michael Saunders. With Kevin Pillar and Jose Bautista the current center and right fielders, respectively, moving Reyes to left field could be what’s best for the future of the Blue Jays.
The Red Sox’s Hanley Ramirez has successfully made the transition in Boston to Fenway Park’s outfield. Formerly a shortstop and third baseman, it appears he has fully embraced his future defensive role as a left fielder. Marching into June, Ramirez has 12 home runs, 27 RBI and has scored 28 runs. Defensively, he’s no Gold Glover, but his bat is offsetting the follies of learning the new position.
Even Hall of Fame Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. experienced a full-time position change from shortstop to third base near the end of his career at age 36. Reyes is not that old and hopefully for the Jays’ sake he is nowhere near the end of his career, but the fact remains, there is a better option.
The outfield depth is very thin down in Triple-A Buffalo. Prospect Dalton Pompey is not necessarily lighting it up down there. In 18 games, he is only hitting .192 with five RBI. Chris Colabello is already up and so is Ezequiel Carrera. Pillar had some fantastic catches early this season but he’s not consistently hitting and driving in runs right now. If and when Saunders does return, he might be more serviceable as a situational designated hitter with his banged up knees.
Dioner Navarro will be returning soon too, so Gibbons will have a short-term decision to make in terms of his 25-man roster. But for the long-term, the Jays’ skipper should sincerely consider moving Jose Reyes to the outfield.