In the first edition of the “What If Report” we talked about Manny Ramirez and his potential impact on the 2006-2008 seasons. Next, let’s examine the 2011 hot button topic of, “should the Mets keep Jose Reyes or David Wright.”
Needless to say the Mets eventually let Reyes walk after the 2011 season and eventually signed Wright to the largest contract in team history while also naming him team captain. But what if the roles were reversed and Jose Reyes was the Mets 2015 starting shortstop?
Since Reyes’ departure, the shortstop has batted to a nearly .290 average with 30 homeruns and 88 stolen bases in three-plus seasons. In that same span, the Mets captain has batted .294 with 48 homeruns and 218 runs batted in. Reyes has played in two more games than Wright since leaving, and both have played plus defense at their respective position. Both Wright and Reyes have been similarly productive since 2011.
Jose Reyes is due $22 million over each of the next 4 seasons, he’ll be an unrestricted free agent following the 2018 season. Wright, on the other hand, will make $20 million each year until 2019, where he will make $15 million and then $12 million in 2020. Overall, Reyes’ contract is slightly more team friendly considering he is one year younger than Wright.
Considering team positional needs, it might have been smarter to hang on to Reyes rather than Wright. With Reyes the Mets would solve their current Wilmer Flores/Rueben Tejada shortstop issue, a problem that seems to have no correct answer. At third base, in place of Wright, the Amazins would have the option of shifting Daniel Murphy to his natural position or they could simply promote Matt Reynolds, who’s stats at triple-A warrant it.
Reyes most likely wouldn’t have led the Mets to a postseason berth in each of the last three seasons. He would, however, have fit quite nicely on this year’s team, which seems poised for a playoff run yet lacks a capable shortstop. Here’s hoping things don’t pan out for Toronto over the next year, and Reyes makes his way to the trading block. The Flushing faithful miss their “Jose” chant.
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