In my two years doing this I have ticked off some folks with my criticism of Jose Reyes. Basically, I see the tools you see but I don’t see a player who has put then all together to be a superstar.
That being said, I’m happy to hear he’s feeling fine. I’m cautious because the Mets training staff has taught me to fear. I worry Jose is one bad step away from 6 months on the DL and I don’t think I will ever shake that feeling.
As much as this blog can be about criticizing, I’m just a Mets fan like you who wants them to win the World Series (in nice uniforms). Hopefully this is the season Jose wins the MVP.
However I stand by what I’ve said in the past: through this point, Jimmy Rollins has been a better player. He doesn’t have the tools, but he has accomplished more with less. Take your Phillies rage away for a second: who would you rather have, Kent or Backman? Jefferies or Backman? Mookie or Bonilla? Sometimes raw talent isn’t everything.
You can show me all the studies you want about Citi Field but ideally someone is telling Reyes not to try to match his 19 homers from 2006. .300 and lots of steals would go a long way (thanks Captain Obvious).
Finally, winning does make a difference. Buddy Harrelson was loved in this town and it wasn’t because of numbers.
The talent is there, time to put it all together and lead this team to a ring.
The Mets hold an option for 2011 for $11 million.
I’m excited for Reyes this year.
Actually, I think he’ll learn not to hit home runs on his own, I think he’s going to enjoy the healthy legs and almost be looking for triples more than the home runs, and that’s certainly fine. Reyes is very strong though, and I suspect he’ll hit 10+ home runs. I know RF is a ‘death alley’ or whatever, (even though Pat Maholm hit one out there…) but I can see Reyes yanking a couple off the Pepsi Porch or down the line there.
I’be always thought of Reyes as “fragile” both physically and mentally. Hopefully we will some day see an improvement in the mental area. The physical area may very well be due to conditioning, which again links into the mental area. I think someone just needs to stay in his ass year round.
As for his hitting, screw home runs. If we can get a healthy Reyes in say 150+ games (75+ at Citi) he should be able to shatter the Mets Doubles and Triples marks. Not to mention scoring from first on hits by one of the next two batters.
Jose Reyes is the Mets’ most important offensive player this year, and this may turn out to be the most important season of Reyes’ career.
I hope that he can put it all together this season so we can have fun watching the Mets. I’m afraid that he won’t put it all together until after he leaves the Mets.
I can’t wait to see Reyes hit a triple and join in the “Jose” chant. Pumped for him coming back.
I’ll take Kent, you can have Backman, and my team will be better with the future Hall of Famer on it. Jimmy Rollins is 5 years older than Jose — let’s see where Jose is at in 5 years then make a comparison.
Any Mets fan who hates on Reyes while praising Alex Cora is a disgrace.