Big win, but Reyes question lingers. NYDN Article
Jose Reyes bashing was in full force Thursday in this wonderful city of ours.
In the papers, on the radio and on the blogs, the Met leadoff hitter was getting crushed. He was ripped for being too aggressive Monday night, was ripped for not being aggressive enough Wedneday, and was ripped for basically having his head where the sun don’t shine.
All of the rips were justified. At times, he plays like someone who has never seen a baseball game in his life. At times, he plays as if he doesn’t care. At times, he plays as if he only cares about getting on ESPN. It really is frustrating.
However, at times he’s a game-changer, using his speed to drive opposing pitchers crazy, and that’s why he is so valuable. Plus, after watching Alex Cora play one game at shortstop, I think I’ll never say a bad word about Reyes again. Of course, the Mets stole seven bases without Reyes last night, so what does that tell you?
Anyway, win or not, the question of the what the Mets are going to do with this guy still remains.
Let’s explore the options:
• Trade him: In Friday’s Daily News, John Harper says the Mets should strongly consider dealing him in the offseason if the Mets fail to make the playoffs again. Harper figures if the Mets fail again, they would have to break up the team, and Reyes (photo by Corey Sipkin/Daily News) would bring the most back. I agree that the team would have to be broken up if the Mets fail again, but I don’t think trading Reyes is the answer. He’s young, and has plenty of upside. Of course, if the Mets can get a front-line starter for him, it has to be considered.
• Discipline him: I know accountability is not a big thing around Queens these days - unless your name is Oliver Perez - but fining Reyes or sitting him down for a few days after a screw-up could work. The problem is I just don’t think the guy gets it. Maybe he’s too confident in his legs or maybe he just doesn’t think. What’s bothersome is Willie Randolph’s hard-line approach didn’t seem to work and Manuel’s “what me worry” shtick isn’t working either. Maybe hitting him where it hurts the most - in the wallet - is the answer. Either that, or threaten to take away his Professor Reyes deal if he keeps doing it.
• Get a real team leader: None of us really know what goes on in the Mets’ clubhouse, but you certainly get the feeling no veteran has pulled Jose aside to tell him to get his act together. I don’t believe in team captains in baseball, and I don’t think there’s anyone on the current roster to be one - except maybe Santana - so maybe Omar Minaya has to make a trade for a strong leader. It doesn’t have to be a super star, maybe a guy similar to Jose Valentin - who seemed to have a good influence over Reyes in 2006 - would be the answer. Who that guy is, I don’t know.
• Get him a personal coach: I still think bringing Rickey Henderson around a few years ago hurt Reyes, but the idea - just not the person - was OK. I would love to see the Mets bring Mookie Wilson in to help Reyes. Mookie was a great baserunner, great basestealer and a total class act. Reyes could learn a lot from the Mookster. Plus, it would be good PR for the Mets, who are still getting hammered for ignoring past players.
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A few notes from last night’s big win:
• Remember what I said about giving Parnell the eighth inning. Forget it. Of course he wasn’t hit hard, and if Reyes was at short - not Cora - he likely gets out of the inning. Still, you cannot walk a guy like Aaron Rowand, who is struggling at the plate. Looks like the 8th - with Putz and Parnell - will be an adventure all season.
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• John Maine looked great. It figures the Mets score four runs for him and he gets a no-decision. If they ever scored four runs for Johan Santana, it would be a sure win.
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• It looks like Carlos Delgado is going to not only be out for a while, it appears this hip thing might bother him all season. So now we will really see what Gary Sheffield has. If Thursday night was any indication, he can help us.
• Carlos Beltran must have made a deal with umpires. It’s twice now he could’ve been called out stealing third, but wasn’t. Just think, if he’s called out either time, he’s likely getting ripped like Reyes is. Funny how that works.
• Nice job by Wright last night. Big hit in the ninth. Maybe getting away from Citi Field for a while will help. He also made a great play at third in the eighth to keep the game tied. We all know he’s a streaky player, so maybe he’s getting hot at the right time.
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HUGE win by the Whale last night. They are probably partying in Hartford today. Either that, or they are still waiting for the Patriots to move there. You heard it hear first, a Whalers-Blackhawks Stanley Cup Final.
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