Sandy and Jose

[Centerfield]

Alderson says contract talks during spring training are "unlikely". I repeat, this makes no sense to me. Up until now I've given Sandy the benefit of the doubt, but this just sucks.

[metirish]

Centerfield wrote: Alderson says contract talks during spring training are "unlikely". I repeat, this makes no sense to me. Up until now I've given Sandy the benefit of the doubt, but this just sucks.

Doesn't Reyes say the same thing?m no talks now?

[Lefty Specialist]

Sandy just wants to be sure his paycheck clears before initiating any talks.

[Guest Edgy DC]

My guess is that his hands are tied by an organization trying to get some cashflow. He signs a guy to a multi-million-dollar deal before the sale goes through and it looks like just another crippling (and dangerous) financial obligation on the ledger.

[TransMonk]

Edgy DC wrote: My guess is that his hands are tied by an organization trying to get some cashflow. He signs a guy to a multi-million-dollar deal before the sale goes through and it looks like just another crippling (and dangerous) financial obligation on the ledger.

This.

Also, from where I sit, it makes the most financial sense for management to wait and see a) how the team is doing in July and what Jose's trade value is in July.

[ashie62]

metirish wrote: Centerfield wrote: Alderson says contract talks during spring training are "unlikely". I repeat, this makes no sense to me. Up until now I've given Sandy the benefit of the doubt, but this just sucks. Doesn't Reyes say the same thing?m no talks now?

Absolutely, nothing new here.

[metirish]

TransMonk wrote: Edgy DC wrote: My guess is that his hands are tied by an organization trying to get some cashflow. He signs a guy to a multi-million-dollar deal before the sale goes through and it looks like just another crippling (and dangerous) financial obligation on the ledger. This. Also, from where I sit, it makes the most financial sense for management to wait and see a) how the team is doing in July and what Jose's trade value is in July.

You still sitting in the capitol building?

[TransMonk]

metirish wrote: You still sitting in the capitol building?

Nah, they kicked us out last week.

[dgwphotography]

Centerfield wrote: Alderson says contract talks during spring training are "unlikely". I repeat, this makes no sense to me. Up until now I've given Sandy the benefit of the doubt, but this just sucks.

I think he's going to be a Phillie next year, and this team will be better in the long run due to the thinking behind it.

[Valadius]

TransMonk wrote: metirish wrote: You still sitting in the capitol building? Nah, they kicked us out last week.

You're winning, keep on fighting up there.

With regards to Mr. Esplosion, I don't know how they can make any long-term commitments right now when the Madoff Victims Alliance stands to become the next owner of the Mets.

[Willets Point]

"Sandy and Jose" would make a great title for a 70's-era folk rock ballad written by, say, Kris Kristofferson.

[batmagadanleadoff]

dgwphotography wrote: Centerfield wrote: Alderson says contract talks during spring training are "unlikely". I repeat, this makes no sense to me. Up until now I've given Sandy the benefit of the doubt, but this just sucks. I think he's going to be a Phillie next year, and this team will be better in the long run due to the thinking behind it.

If the MFY's get around to shifting Jeter out of the infield by 2012 ......

[dgwphotography]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: dgwphotography wrote: Centerfield wrote: Alderson says contract talks during spring training are "unlikely". I repeat, this makes no sense to me. Up until now I've given Sandy the benefit of the doubt, but this just sucks. I think he's going to be a Phillie next year, and this team will be better in the long run due to the thinking behind it. If the MFY's get around to shifting Jeter out of the infield by 2012 ......

Then I just woke up to one of my worst nightmares...

[smg58]

There are two valid reasons to wait.

1. Jose is hoping he can get a Crawford-sized contract after a full year at peak performance, yet his last two seasons make it hard to presently justify anything close to that.

2. If the Mets are out of contention in July and Jose could get the Mets more than twice the value of the draft picks he'd bring back as free agent compensation, he'd be worth dealing even if the Mets re-sign him in the offseason.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

What do you guys really think Reyes is going to look like by the midpoint of his next contract, if not the buttend? That's the stuff that scares me. Stealing a hundred bases and playing sick shortstop is a young man's game I'm afraid, specially if said youngster's already had multiple injuries.

[metirish]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: What do you guys really think Reyes is going to look like by the midpoint of his next contract, if not the buttend? That's the stuff that scares me. Stealing a hundred bases and playing sick shortstop is a young man's game I'm afraid, specially if said youngster's already had multiple injuries.

Not good on year five of a seven year deal, I'd not want to give any player that length of deal anymore. Boston are apparently going to give Gonzo seven years $154 million.....no thanks.

[Guest The Second Spitter]

smg58 wrote: 2. If the Mets are out of contention in July and Jose could get the Mets more than twice the value of the draft picks he'd bring back as free agent compensation, he'd be worth dealing even if the Mets re-sign him in the offseason.

He'd bring back a decent swag -- Sandy will market him as "impact player" who could make "the difference" in the playoffs. Who knows, if Sandy catches Sabean (who is not unknown for making impulsive moves) on a bad day, he could even bring back Brandon Belt.

metirish wrote: Not good on year five of a seven year deal, I'd not want to give any player that length of deal anymore. Boston are apparently going to give Gonzo seven years $154 million.....no thanks.

If somewhere between Rollins and Furcal is par for Reyes, he should be budgeting for his Florida mansion to cost about half of that.

[MFS62]

Sandy and Jose

The Reyes talks sound kinda� dead, as reported on the sports talk station
When the fans found out, they began to shout, they were cryin� in the Metsie nation.
When he came up raw, he was the best we saw.
When he came up raw, he was the best we saw.

Collins looks down and spits on the ground ever time Jose�s name gets mentioned
Alderson says oy, if I re-sign that boy
I'm gonna show the fans I�ve earned my pension.
Talks are under way, I don't know where they�re goin'
They�re under way, takin' their time, but I don't know when

Goodbye to Jose, say the Yankee shill homers
Hopin� to see Jose playin� in the Yankee ballyard
Hopin� to see Jose playin� in the Yankee ballyard

[instrumental break]

In a couple of days they're gonna take me away
When the press lets the story leak
Now when news of the talks get slowly leaked
And all on the cover of the next Newsweek
Talks are under way, I don't know where they�re goin'
They�re under way, takin' their time, but I don't know when

Goodbye to Jose? Its been nice knowin� ya
Sandy and Julio negotiating hard
Sandy and Julio negotiating hard
Sandy and Julio negotiating hard



Later

[Benjamin Grimm]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: What do you guys really think Reyes is going to look like by the midpoint of his next contract, if not the buttend? That's the stuff that scares me. Stealing a hundred bases and playing sick shortstop is a young man's game I'm afraid, specially if said youngster's already had multiple injuries.

I know. Unless Jose has a poor or injury-riddled season, the contract he ends up getting will probably be well above the value of whatever production he'll provide, so it would probably be better, objectively, if that money was being spent by some other team.

But rational arguments aside, I'd hate to see him in some other uniform. I think of Darryl Strawberry. I still regret that he left the Mets after the 1990 season, even though the Dodgers ended up getting burned on that deal. Darryl had a strong 1991 as I recall, but was only a shadow of his former self in all of the seasons he played after that.

Implications for 2011 aside, the best long-term outcome might be for Jose to not have a big bounceback year this season, and then get a not insanely expensive four-year deal from the Mets, and then have his big bounceback in 2012. That's a lot of ifs, and it's therefore not the most likely scenario.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

We're gonna send this guy away? You'll have to pump nitrous into the clubhouse to keep the atmosphere this light.

Lennon : You've said that you love playing in New York. Why do you like it here so much? Reyes : "I like the energy. I love the fans. It's like when you play winter ball in the Dominican Republic . The fans are going to be loud all game long. New York is always going to be loud. That's something that I like because I have a lot of passion for the game.'' Lennon : Do you like the Jo-se, Jo-se, Jo-se chants at Citi Field ? Reyes : "I love it. That tells me they're waiting for something big. I get more focused. I say to myself, I've got to do something good. I like that.'' Lennon : What do you like more -- stealing second base or hitting a triple? Reyes : "Probably stealing second base. Hitting a triple is exciting, but stealing second is difficult. I know when I hit a ball into the gap, 90 percent of the time it's going to be a triple. But when I try to steal a base, you never know what's going to happen. I enjoy both -- don't get me wrong. Whatever I do running-wise, I enjoy.''

Lennon : You and David Wright grew up together in the Mets ' organization. How would you describe the relationship? Reyes : "I consider David my brother. I've known him since 2001 in the minor leagues and we've never had any problems. Every time we come here, we come here smiling. We talk every day. I love David, and hopefully we can continue to play together for a long time.''

Lennon : You have a beard now, which is a new look for you. Are you going to keep it for the regular season? Reyes : "The funny thing about this beard is that I've been growing it for two years. ( Ike Davis comes over, pulls on the beard and laughs at him). Yeah, two years, bro! I don't want to cut it off, but I'm not sure if I'll keep it for Opening Day.''

[Guest Edgy DC]

Subtext:

Lennon: "You have a beard now, and you kind of look like a tool. Are you seriously going to be looking like this on opening day?

Reyes: "I don't know. I kinda li... really? Like, a total tool? Shit.''

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Granted, speculative articles about players in their walk years are a normal thing. But should we be worried that this is coming from MLB Pravda itself?

But now, nearly 10 years after their first encounter, the left side of the infield seems destined to split. Wright is under contract in New York for two more years with an option for a third, while Reyes can be a free agent at season's end. Even if the shortstop wants to return, the Mets may not have the means to retain him. For one of this generation's most exciting, talented and complementary tandems, the end may be drawing near. "I'm a big Jose Reyes fan," Wright said. "He makes everybody around him better, including me. So I hope he goes out there and has a great year and kind of forces the hand of the front office so they lock him up to whatever kind of extension. I hope that's the case..." ... Beltran, too, will almost certainly be gone after this season, meaning Reyes' departure could leave Wright as the lone representative from the 2006 team that nearly reached the World Series. Sticking with one team for an entire career may be rare, yet it is difficult to imagine the Mets without Reyes. Or Reyes without the Mets. Or Wright without Reyes. In the same way that he monopolizes a pitcher's attention when he reaches base, Reyes dominates the clubhouse with his incessant chatter, his friendliness, his ebullience. If Wright is the face of the franchise, Reyes is its heartbeat. Soon, though, he may be gone, perhaps not even lasting the season. If the Mets fall out of the playoff race by the All-Star break, they could attempt to salvage some value by trading Reyes to a contender before he leaves through free agency.

[Ceetar]

DiComo's a beat writer, no different than anyone else.

[Fman99]

Ceetar wrote: DiComo's a beat writer, no different than anyone else.

Good. Let's beat him.