After Jose Reyes was designated for assignment by the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, per an official team announcement, speculation is swirling about the All-Star shortstop’s future.
Continue for updates.
Royals Reportedly in on Reyes
Thursday, June 16
Alex Cora of ESPN reported the Kansas City Royals are considering signing Reyes to play second base.
Mets, Yankees Not Interested in Reyes
Wednesday, June 15
MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reported the news on the Yankees, adding the Mets can also be ruled out as a possible destination and indicating the club isn’t interested in reuniting with Reyes.
Reyes Would Bring Veteran Presence to New Team
The 33-year-old veteran played for the Mets from 2003 to 2011, receiving four All-Star bids, leading the National League in stolen bases three times and winning an NL batting title in that span.
Per Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post, the Rockies have 10 days to either release or trade Reyes and are due to pay him $41 million in salary.
Colorado general manager Jeff Bridich spoke Wednesday about trade offers the front office has fielded.
“There were a lot of things the last week to two weeks that have come and gone,” said Bridich, per Saunders. “(There were) a couple of teams poking around. Nothing real serious ever really materialized. But Jose is still a very talented player.”
Gifted as he may be, Reyes is not the player he once was and can’t swipe bases at near the rate he used to. His defense is rather poor as well—his ultimate zone rating of minus-6.6 was fourth-worst for his position last season, per FanGraphs.
Prospective trade suitors may also view Reyes as radioactive since he just came off the restricted list after a suspension for violating the league’s domestic violence policy.
It’s unlikely the Rockies will be able to swing a deal for Reyes given his exorbitant contract situation, so they’re bound to release him near the end of the 10-day ultimatum.
Reyes’ outlook to continue his career at the MLB level is bound to improve if and when he hits the open market. Then a team can have him at a massive bargain compared to the money he commands at the moment.
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