In what seemed like an unlikely reunion at first, Jose Reyes is reportedly going to sign with the New York Mets this afternoon. Reyes spent his first nine Major League seasons with the Mets after being a product of their farm system. The Colorado Rockies opted to designate Reyes for assignment based on the dark cloud surrounding him, a product of the alleged domestic violence charges brought against him. Reyes was suspended through May 31st.
The Mets are officially bringing back Jose Reyes https://t.co/dfV3a5rDTA pic.twitter.com/Wh4Kfe5SEX
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 25, 2016
Reyes to Return to Queens
The 33-year-old shortstop will join a depleted Mets team in dire need of infield help. With David Wright having potentially season-ending neck surgery, the Amazin’s have been actively considering different options for third base. Wilmer Flores has been serviceable filling in, but has yet to produce enough offensively to justify his poor defense. The same goes for Kelly Johnson, whom the Mets acquired from the Atlanta Braves back on June 8th. If Reyes is able to competently man the hot corner, he will have the opportunity to see a good amount of playing time. Neil Walker has also expressed a willingness to move to third base if the the team needed him to. This would allow Reyes to play second base, a position he is more comfortable with.
When asked about the potential of a reunion between Reyes and the Mets, GM Sandy Alderson did say that character plays a factor in the evaluation process of free agents. However, seeing that he adhered to a reasonable punishment, his on-field value and modest salary warrant the move.
The Rockies will be responsible for the $39 million still owed to Reyes, minus the prorated veteran minimum of $507,500 that the Mets will pickup. Reyes has appeared in nine game for Colorado’s Triple-A affiliate, Albuquerque, since completing his suspension. The Dominican Republic native is also the Mets franchise leader in triples and stolen bases.
Jose Reyes re-signs, Brandon Nimmo starting… A weird day for the #Mets. Surreal. https://t.co/Xt9y5u17Bj
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 25, 2016
Additionally, the Mets also optioned Michael Conforto to Triple-A while calling up top-prospect Brandon Nimmo, the first player drafted in the Sandy Alderson era. The New York Yankees also designated for assignment former Met first baseman Ike Davis.
BREAKING: #Mets are sending Michael Conforto down to the minors and calling up Brandom Nimmo. Conforto is hitting .148 since May 1
— LWOS New York Mets (@LWOS_NYMets) June 25, 2016
Ike Davis DFA’ed by Yankees, not a good day for every former Met infielder I guess.
— Michael Mayer (@themainemets) June 25, 2016
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