Mets Considering Reunion With Shortstop Jose Reyes

The New York Mets are debating internally whether to bring back Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes, an industry source confirmed.

Mets Considering Reunion With Shortstop Jose Reyes

Newsday’s David Lennon first suggested this could be a possibility on Sunday, and then FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthal confirmed the news. ESPNNewYork.com’s Adam Rubin suggests that the team’s thinking has shifted in recent days, as sources had previously suggested there was little chance of a match.

The Mets are desperate for offense right now, and particularly desperate for speed, too. Their total of 13 stolen bases is the lowest in the National League, and second-lowest in the majors– no small matter for a team that rarely scores without hitting home runs.

The team’s slow speed was evident in a crushing 6-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on Sunday. The Mets also lost both of the previous two games in their three-game home series against the Braves.

So although up until a few days ago the Mets claimed they had no interest in signing Reyes, who was designated for assignment by the Rockies just last week, they are suddenly not completely ruling out the possibility of a reunion.

The 33-year-old Dominican saw his greatest success with the Mets before leaving the organization via free agency before the 2012 season.

According to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo, the Mets could have Reyes play third base, although at this point in his career he has exclusively been a middle infielder, and almost entirely a shortstop. In theory, the switch-hitter could share time at the hot corner with Wilmer Flores. Either or both could also move around the infield as needed. Reyes has never played third base in the major leagues. 

Reyes had continued to deliver strong offensive production over the first three years of his contract, but only slashed .274/.310/.378 over 519 plate appearances last year. He has struggled much more defensively, however.

Reyes will only cost the Mets the league minimum, as the Rockies will have to pay him the remainder of the $22 million he’s still owed this season, as well as $22 million next season. He left the Mets after the 2011 season, and subsequently signed a six-year, $106 million contract with the Miami Marlins.

Reyes was also arrested last year after allegations surfaced that he physically assaulted his wife in a hotel room in Hawaii on October 31.

PHOTO: WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 07: Jose Reyes #7 of the Colorado Rockies fields a ground ball during batting practice before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on August 7, 2015 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)