Back in the Jose Groove

[G-Fafif]

You know him, you love him, you can't live without him. Ken Rosenthal reports Jose Reyes returns to the Mets as a utility player, as the club continues to seek an actual second baseman.

[Ceetar]

I can't help but BOOOOOOOOOOOO

Smith, Gonzalez, Flores, Cabrera, new 2B. There's no room for Jose unless Smith starts in the minors or Gonzalez is trash and they release him.

and again, what if Wright is active?

[Edgy MD]

I'm not sure what Smith has to do with Reyes. One plays first and the other plays (hopefully) six other positions.

Smith will start in the majors if he's demonstrated himself to be superior to AG, and in the minors if he hasn't.

Reyes' signing knocks Reynolds or Cecchini off the roster, not Smith.

[Ceetar]

Edgy MD wrote: I'm not sure what Smith has to do with Reyes. One plays first and the other plays (hopefully) six other positions. Smith will start in the majors if he's demonstrated himself to be superior to AG, and in the minors if he hasn't. Reyes' signing knocks Reynolds or Cecchini off the roster, not Smith.

Reynolds and Cecchini aren't threats to be on the roster. I guess the Mets could run with 3 bench infielders and just 1 outfielder, if Conforto isn't active, but that feels weird.

This is prefaced on them actually getting another starting 2B as they said. Flores and one of Smith/Gonzalez is already on the bench. what use is Reyes? unless they cut Flores, who wasn't as good as Reyes in the second half last year, but that's a relatively small sample?

[nymr83]

Assuming Reyes is back at near minimum salary, he is in the same boat as Gonzalez - cutable.

This could also be a "de Aza signing" - a cheap insurance move by Sandy against not signing someone better, but then ultimately replacing him

[Ceetar]

it's 2mill with a few incentives. That's probably "near minimum" depending how you feel about the budget.

it's ..fine? i guess. if they do in fact sign Frazier/Walker to be a starter.

[Centerfield]

If he's considered super utility, he can play OF too. Didn't he play a few innings last year?

I wonder if this move is designed to make our actual 2B target (or trade partner) blink.

"Look guys, we now have Reyes, and TJ Rivera coming back mid-season. We are totally fine without (target name)."

[Edgy MD]

Ceetar wrote: Reynolds and Cecchini aren't threats to be on the roster.

They were the fifth and sixth infielders as of yesterday.

[nymr83]

Centerfield wrote: If he's considered super utility, he can play OF too. Didn't he play a few innings last year? I wonder if this move is designed to make our actual 2B target (or trade partner) blink. "Look guys, we now have Reyes, and TJ Rivera coming back mid-season. We are totally fine without (target name)."

if it is, more kudos to Sandy

[smg58]

If you're carrying six infielders -- and assuming the reports that the Mets would go with 13 pitchers was insane speculation, you're carrying six infielders -- there is plenty of room for Reyes. You worry about what happens when Rivera comes back when Rivera comes back.

[Zvon]

Ceetar wrote: and again, what if Wright is active?

Then they both get to play at least one inning on the field together during the 2018 World Series. My dream comes true.

Nymr83 wrote: Centerfield wrote: If he's considered super utility, he can play OF too. Didn't he play a few innings last year? I wonder if this move is designed to make our actual 2B target (or trade partner) blink. "Look guys, we now have Reyes, and TJ Rivera coming back mid-season. We are totally fine without (target name)." if it is, more kudos to Sandy

I never said Sandy wasn't a sly one. He's as sly as a fox.

[Fman99]

I'm fine with this move.

[Guest 41Forever]

Fman99 wrote: I'm fine with this move.

So am I. If the reports are true that he's a mentor to Rosario, then it's good to have him around.

Welcome back, Jose.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Yeah, I'm okay with it too, but I have to wonder who gets bumped off the roster as a result. If the Mets go with a 13-man pitching staff and two catchers, that leaves ten positions for infielders and outfielders. Cespedes/Conforto/Bruce/Lagares/Nimmo. Cabrera/Rosario/Gonzalez/Reyes/{hypothetical starting second baseman}. I'm hoping it's twelve pitchers. If it's thirteen, this could be bad news for Wilmer Flores.

[Edgy MD]

No, Roster Central is reporting plenty of room for Flores. Right now, the infield looks like:

• Asdrubal Cabrera#
  
• Amed Rosario
  
• José Reyes#
  
• Wilmer Flores
  
• T.J. Rivera (projected for DL)
  
• Matt Reynolds
  
• Adrian Gonzalez*
  
• David Wright (projected for DL)

There are four outfielders. Another infielder isn't guaranteed, but if he or she comes, it's Reynolds on the bubble.

Doesn't mean Florrie or somebody won't get shipped out in a trade, of course.

[Ceetar]

• Asdrubal Cabrera#
• Amed Rosario
• José Reyes#
• Wilmer Flores
• T.J. Rivera (projected for DL)
• Matt Reynolds
• Adrian Gonzalez*
• David Wright (projected for DL)

There are four outfielders. Another infielder isn't guaranteed, but if he or she comes, it's Reynolds on the bubble.

Doesn't mean Florrie or somebody won't get shipped out in a trade, of course.

Edgy MD wrote: No, Roster Central is reporting plenty of room for Flores. Right now, the infield looks like:

You forgot Smith.

and no one's talking about the 40 man.

[Edgy MD]

No, I didn't forget Smith.

And neither Flores nor Smith are in danger of being shed from the 40-man roster, which is discussed in the roster thread, so it isn't true either that no one is talking about it.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I was talking about the 25-man roster. It's hard to see a spot for Wilmer if the Mets go with 13 pitchers and they bring in another infielder.

[Edgy MD]

Sure. Two catchers plus six infielders plus four outfielders plus 13 pitchers = 25.

[Edgy MD]

I see the difference. You're counting Conforto, but he's almost certainly not going to be on the roster for Opening Day.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Right. I'm not looking at Opening Day, but the season as a whole.

I realize of course that this is an abstract argument, because chances are that we may never see everyone active at the same time.

[Edgy MD]

Yeah, that's what the team has to bank on.

[MFS62]

Rosario considers Reyes his friend and mentor. Good move from that standpoint.
I'm not sure whether Cecchini can hit or Reynolds can field the position well enough to be the regular should Rosario falter.
So I consider Reyes a good pickup should that be the case.

Later

[Centerfield]

Edgy MD wrote: Yeah, that's what the team has to bank on.

If at the time Conforto is activated, we find ourselves asking "Man, what do we do with all of these totally healthy and productive players?" I'll sign up for that right now.

[Vic Sage]

"if its Reyes and a bag of balls, we're fucked."

Ahem.

If we sign Walker or Frazier, i'd rather have Reyes on the bench than either Cecchini or Reynolds. But if he's our new starting 2bman, its not much help.

Right now, it looks like this:

Reyes# (2b)
Nimmo* (cf)
Cespedes (Lf)
Bruce* (Rf)
Cabrera# (3b)
D'Arnaud ©
AGon* or Smith*(1b)
Rosario (ss)

Plawecki ©
Flores (If)
Lagares (of)
Smith or Agon* [or Nimmo, if/when Conforto returns]
_____ (ut) [TJRivera (if/when he returns), or Reyes (if Wright returns or they sign a 2b/3bman), or a 13th pitcher]

[Edgy MD]

Centerfield wrote: Edgy MD wrote: Yeah, that's what the team has to bank on. If at the time Conforto is activated, we find ourselves asking "Man, what do we do with all of these totally healthy and productive players?" I'll sign up for that right now.

Yeah, that's pretty much right. And if suddenly a rash of health breaks out, Reyes, Gonzalez, and Cabrera are all on one year deals, making them more tradable or releasable, as needed.

[nymr83]

thats probably the lineup against righties.

against lefties, i'd suspect Flores over Smith at 1B at least for now and maybe Lagares gets in there?

[Benjamin Grimm]

We'll see how it plays out, but my guess is that if Gonzalez makes the team, Smith is in Las Vegas.

[Vic Sage]

Nymr83 wrote: thats probably the lineup against righties. against lefties, i'd suspect Flores over Smith at 1B at least for now and maybe Lagares gets in there?

yes, i agree. Lagares and Flores should platoon with Nimmo and AGon (or Smith) against LHPs.

[Vic Sage]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: We'll see how it plays out, but my guess is that if Gonzalez makes the team, Smith is in Las Vegas.

probably, but with a bench of Plawecki/Lagares/Flores, they'll need a LHed bat (preferably OFer) off the bench, at least until Conforto comes back and Nimmo goes to the bench. If they get a 2b or 3bman, then Reyes can be that utility bat off the bench.