New York Mets Will Pick Up Jose Reyes’ 2017 Option
The New York Mets will reportedly keep Jose Reyes around next year by picking up his 2017 option.
Jose Reyes and the New York Mets were eliminated in the National League Wild Card Game after a loss to the San Francisco Giants. The Mets are now looking to improve their team for another run next season. They are expected to pick up the 2017 option on infielder Reyes. The injury-riddled Mets of 2016 will look to rebound next season with a healthy rotation and lineup.
The Mets picked up Reyes last season after Reyes was suspended for 51 games with the Colorado Rockies for a domestic abuse charge. The Rockies waived Reyes and the Mets ended up signing him. In the deal, the Rockies are still on the hook for all of Reyes’ three-year, $41 million salary that includes a $22 million payout in 2017. The Mets were just responsible for paying Reyes the league veteran minimum last season. David Wright‘s season-ending neck injury opened a spot for Reyes to return to Queens and play third base. Reyes has usually played shortstop throughout his career.
Reyes, 33, hit .267/.326/.443 with the Mets last season in 279 plate appearances. He also added eight home runs and nine stolen bases. This is the second time that Reyes has played for the New York Mets. He played with the Mets from 2003-2011, and he is the franchise leader in stolen bases, second in runs scored, third in hits and seventh in batting average. He was also a four-time All-Star with the Mets during that span.
There is a question that the Mets will have to answer in the upcoming season. With the anticipated return from David Wright, where will they play Reyes? Asdrubal Cabrera is signed through the 2017 season and will take the starting job at shortstop for the Mets. Cabrera’s contract also includes a team option for the 2018 season. The Mets also have utility infielder Wilmer Flores. With all of these players in mind, it is hard to tell where Jose Reyes will be playing next season. A move to the outfield may be in the future.
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The Mets struggled through an array of injuries last season. They lost three of their five Opening Day starters. Not to mention they also lost multiple hitters in their lineup. With all of those injuries, the team still went on to take the top Wild Card spot in the National League before losing to the Giants. If completely healthy, watch out for the Mets to contend for the National League pennant again next season.