Re-Sign Reyes NOW!!!!

[stevejrogers]

Vic Sage wrote: Edgy DC wrote: Sending messages to each other through the media, despite the easy availability of face-to-face contact, is a time-honored --- if not particularly courageous --- tradition among ballplayers. IMO, Straw's statements to the media have absolutely nothing to do with trying to send Reyes a message and everything to do with Straw's ongoing efforts to repair his own fatally damaged reputation. "oh, i loved NY, what was i thinking to ever leave?" is not career guidance, its PR.

Indeed, to say nothing for the fact that it was mostly Straw's own demons that led to leaving NY to be a very bad move on his part.

Had he'd been clean and sober, good possibility an argument about whether he should be wearing a Dodger or Met cap on his Hall of Fame plaque would be a debate. But instead it was his failings as a human, that he is still struggling with, that led to his demise in LA as well as any shot of greatness. Which would have happened had he stayed here or not.

[Edgy MD]

I'm not sure why I've been quote above there.

We haven't mentioned it in a while, but in light of Darryl's comments, it's worth reviewing that Reyes can still take the money and run without leaving New York, if you get my drift. And I think you do.

[Frayed Knot]

Ceetar wrote: Edgy DC wrote: Just my opinion, but I imagine back channel tampering goes on all the time. Probably. Think they get explicit though, or is it just "wink wink, we REALLY like that Jose guy. you guys close to something with the mets?"

Dear Jose's agent,

We here at the _______ organization are very interested in your client's services for next season and beyond. As you know we are not permitted to discuss money at this juncture but would appreciate touching base with you prior to the official opening of the FA period if possible. You may prefer to defer any meeting prior to that point but if you are interested we will have our representative available at precisely 135 on the 7th if you have any questions.

Sincerely yours,
Major League GM

[Ceetar]

It's one thing to suggest it, another to actually negotiate it.

And of course, Reyes can then take that number to the Mets, who maybe won't quite match it, but could adjust their offer as a result.

[seawolf17]

Edgy DC wrote: I'm not sure why I've been quote above there. We haven't mentioned it in a while, but in light of Darryl's comments, it's worth reviewing that Reyes can still take the money and run without leaving New York, if you get my drift. And I think you do.

I would probably quit baseball if he wound up with the Phillies or Yankees.

[Centerfield]

seawolf17 wrote: Edgy DC wrote: I'm not sure why I've been quote above there. We haven't mentioned it in a while, but in light of Darryl's comments, it's worth reviewing that Reyes can still take the money and run without leaving New York, if you get my drift. And I think you do. I would probably quit baseball if he wound up with the Phillies or Yankees.

This is not possible. This is not possible. This is not possible. This is not possible. This is not possible. This is not possible. This is not possible. This is not possible. This is not possible. This is not possible. This is not possible. This is not possible. This is not possible. This is not possible. This is not possible. This is not possible. This is not possible. This is not possible. This is not possible.

[Edgy MD]

Great. I broke centerfield.

[Centerfield]

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

(By the way, how much easier would it have been for Jack Torrance to write his book if only he had CONTROL-V back then?)

[ashie62]

Frayed Knot wrote: Ceetar wrote: Edgy DC wrote: Just my opinion, but I imagine back channel tampering goes on all the time. Probably. Think they get explicit though, or is it just "wink wink, we REALLY like that Jose guy. you guys close to something with the mets?" Dear Jose's agent, We here at the _______ organization are very interested in your client's services for next season and beyond. As you know we are not permitted to discuss money at this juncture but would appreciate touching base with you prior to the official opening of the FA period if possible. You may prefer to defer any meeting prior to that point but if you are interested we will have our representative available at precisely 135 on the 7th if you have any questions. Sincerely yours, Major League GM

This is classic..Thanks

[Edgy MD]

Tracksuit McJazzhat cites the all-knowing People Familiar with the Team�s Thinking in stating the Mets are launching Operation Lowball.

NY Mets to make low offer to Jose Reyes, then will let him test his value on the market BY ANDY MARTINO DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER Check in with Jose Reyes, perhaps make a modest offer, then step back while he collects proposals and allows other clubs to set his market value: That is the Mets' negotiating strategy with their free-agent shortstop, according to people familiar with the team�s thinking. The Mets have a five-day window for exclusive talks after the World Series, but will not re-sign Reyes during that time. Unsure what Reyes will be able to command on the open market - and if his price will remain within a range they consider reasonable - the Mets say they see no point in beginning talks by presenting an offer that is close to their best or final one. "Jose is not going to be a quick process," said one source. 'The fan base would love for it to be that way, but a quick process would mean that he will not be a Met. Let him go do the dance, and see how (other teams) value him. Why should we set the market?" Reyes' agents declined to comment on the process. With the Mets expecting to cut payroll from the $140 million range to $110 million-$115 millionish, club officials have made clear that if Reyes leaves, 22-year-old Ruben Tejada will replace him. Whether that is determined in November, December or January will not affect other aspects of the team's plans, officials insist. Reyes� price is difficult to predict, more so than those of fellow free-agent stars Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder. View Reyes through one lens, and he is a 28-year-old batting champion and one of the most dynamic players in baseball at a position known for offensive scarcity. View him through another, and his tightly wound hamstrings, which sent him to the disabled list twice during the 2011 season, create a serious risk for any team offering him a long-term deal (it is only fair to also note that from 2005 to 2008, Reyes played in at least 153 games each season). Despite concerns, the Mets - and most everyone else in baseball - expect that a team will offer a sizable deal; the real question is �how sizable?� Several Mets executives have speculated that the Nationals, Marlins and the Angels could become heavy bidders. If a team offers Reyes Carl Crawford money (six or seven years, $130 million-$140 million), the Mets almost certainly would not match it. The club values Reyes, and says it will launch an earnest effort to retain him, but it has long made clear its unwillingness to engage in feverish bidding. One team source mused that �he'll probably want to get paid like a home run hitter.� Reyes might ultimately be presented with this choice: Accept the highest offer or remain with the only organization he has known, in the city that he loves. Whatever happens, it will not likely happen in the next month, and perhaps not even in the month after that. Still, Mets officials insist they are not concerned that a drawn-out pursuit of Reyes will hijack their entire offseason, and make other planning difficult. GM Sandy Alderson has been clear that the team's non-Reyes priority is to rebuild the bullpen, with former All-Star closers Brad Lidge, Jonathan Broxton and Joe Nathan among those available as free agents. Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2011/10/28/2011-10-28_ny_mets_wont_resign_jose_reyes_during_exclusive_negotiating_period_after_world_s.html#ixzz1c65SPHAA

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Interesting that a "person familiar with the team's thinking" uses the word "we," no?

I think though that's prolly how it will go. Maybe not a lowball offer, a fair one to start, then see where it goes.

[Edgy MD]

Yeah, the "we" jumped out at me also.

"Low" is probably a touch of tabloid hyperbole, but it doesn't help the Mets position to have their offer publicly characterized as such before the numbers are known.

[Ceetar]

Edgy DC wrote: Yeah, the "we" jumped out at me also. "Low" is probably a touch of tabloid hyperbole, but it doesn't help the Mets position to have their offer publicly characterized as such before the numbers are known.

I think it does. Presumably Alderson is going to make the Reyes camp aware of what they're thinking, but perhaps if the public perception is the offer is low, the resulting "blow them out of the water" offer from other teams won't be as high. (If it indeed gets there)

We'll see how public the negotiations become. This is Alderson's first real offseason where he's not playing catchup and knows all the cards.

[metirish]

Mets will offer 5 years at $90 and the Nats will blow them away with a stupid deal.

[Edgy MD]

Nats? Nuh-uh.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I think five years, $90 million is the high end of the reasonable zone. And I also think it's reasonable for the Mets to not go above that until they find that they have to.

[Ceetar]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I think five years, $90 million is the high end of the reasonable zone. And I also think it's reasonable for the Mets to not go above that until they find that they have to.

option years are your friend.

[metirish]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I think five years, $90 million is the high end of the reasonable zone. And I also think it's reasonable for the Mets to not go above that until they find that they have to.

I don't disagree with that but if the Mets go say 4 years, $70 million his agent would come and say it's an insult yyybbb, which I guess might suit the team.

[seawolf17]

Eight years, $160 million. DONE.

[Edgy MD]

Now, I just got to go find me $160 million laying around.

[ashie62]

Some team will go the extra year and find the extra dollars.

[Gwreck]

I see Detroit as a likely suitor. They have money coming off the books, lose no key players to FA, could easily move Jhonny Peralta to third base, and Reyes is the kind of piece that could make them division champs for the next 2-3 years.

Also San Francisco probably wants him too. This is not good.

[Edgy MD]

Any updates from Paddy Power?

[batmagadanleadoff]

I'm getting this vibe that the only way the Mets will keep Reyes is if he turns down some other team's big fat stacks: I don't see the Mets top offer for Reyes being even in the same time zone with competing offers. But we shall see. Me, I'm extremely doubtful about this -- I believe I've seen Reyes' last game in a Mets uni.

[HahnSolo]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: I'm getting this vibe that the only way the Mets will keep Reyes is if he turns down some other team's big fat stacks: I don't see the Mets top offer for Reyes being even in the same time zone with competing offers. But we shall see. Me, I'm extremely doubtful about this -- I believe I've seen Reyes' last game in a Mets uni.

Unfortunately, I feel the same.

[metirish]

Paddy Power has similar feelings

Reyes to sign with the Mets 3-1
Reyes to sign a $120+ million contract with the Mets - 10-1
Reyes to sign a more than five year deal with the Mets - 10-1


Reyes to sign elsewhere - 1/2 on
Reyes to sign a $120+ contract elsewhere - 2-5
Reyes to sign with within the NL East - 2-1
Reyes to sign within the NL Central - 3-1
Reyes to sign within the NL West - 6-1
Reyes to sign within the AL East - 4-1
Reyes to sign within the AL Central - 4-1
Reyes to sign within the A: West - 5-1

Reyes to get "Crawford Money" - even money

Do you know how to read the toteboard? You would be surprised how many people don't understand it at all. The most basic information there are the win odds quoted on each horse. Those don't tell you what the horse will pay, but the amount of profit you will get and the amount you have to bet to get it. 6-5 means you will get $6 profit for every $5 wagered. 20-1 means you get $20 profit for every $1 wagered (i.e. bet $2 and get $42 back). Since most tracks have a $2 minimum bet, below is a handy chart look up the payoff for a $2 bet at various odds. Remember, your actual payoff may differ from this chart as the odds on the toteboard are rounded off, so 2-1 odds on the toteboard may actually be 1.9-1 or 2.2-1. Payoffs use the actual odds and are rounded down to the nearest nickle or dime depending on the rules at that track. This rounding is called breakage which can be a complex topic for beginners

[ashie62]

Paddy Power has similar feelings Reyes to sign with the Mets 3-1 Reyes to sign a $120+ million contract with the Mets - 10-1 Reyes to sign a more than five year deal with the Mets - 10-1 Reyes to sign elsewhere - 1/2 on Reyes to sign a $120+ contract elsewhere - 2-5 Reyes to sign with within the NL East - 2-1 Reyes to sign within the NL Central - 3-1 Reyes to sign within the NL West - 6-1 Reyes to sign within the AL East - 4-1 Reyes to sign within the AL Central - 4-1 Reyes to sign within the A: West - 5-1 Reyes to get "Crawford Money" - even money Do you know how to read the toteboard? You would be surprised how many people don't understand it at all. The most basic information there are the win odds quoted on each horse. Those don't tell you what the horse will pay, but the amount of profit you will get and the amount you have to bet to get it. 6-5 means you will get $6 profit for every $5 wagered. 20-1 means you get $20 profit for every $1 wagered (i.e. bet $2 and get $42 back). Since most tracks have a $2 minimum bet, below is a handy chart look up the payoff for a $2 bet at various odds. Remember, your actual payoff may differ from this chart as the odds on the toteboard are rounded off, so 2-1 odds on the toteboard may actually be 1.9-1 or 2.2-1. Payoffs use the actual odds and are rounded down to the nearest nickle or dime depending on the rules at that track. This rounding is called breakage which can be a complex topic for beginners

I should break out the baseball parlay chart.

[Edgy MD]

Announcements say that free agency starts today, but the way I see it, if one club has an exclusive on you until Thursday, you ain't free no how.

[Edgy MD]

Mets meet with Reyes reps. Dampen hopes decidedly.

Mets meet with Jose Reyes reps By Adam Rubin ESPNNewYork.com NEW YORK -- New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson has met with the representatives for shortstop Jose Reyes. However, Alderson added, he does not expect a quick resolution to the All-Star shortstop's free agency. Open bidding on free agents begins Thursday. "Things are going to go slowly, which I think is typical of most if not all free agents," Alderson said. "Very few sign during the exclusive period." "Take it out of the Jose Reyes context into just the general free agent context," Alderson continued. "There are some situations where a player might indicate what it would take for him to forgo the free agent market. There are some situations where a club might try to make a preemptive offer to preclude that [open bidding]. "I don't think either one of those things is going to happen in this case. I don't think Jose is going to give us a number for which he would forgo free agency. I don't think we're in a position to make him what I would characterize as a preemptive offer." Regardless, Alderson maintained, the Mets would not go into rebuilding mode if Reyes departs. "We're not going to punt 2012 if Jose doesn't re-sign," Alderson said. That means, in all likelihood, no trading of third baseman David Wright this offseason for prospects. Asked about his level of confidence that Wright remains a Met, Alderson replied: "I couldn't say that with any degree of certainty about any player that we have. Do I think that he'll be a Met next year? Yes." Alderson confirmed that the payroll will be in the $100 million to $110 million range in 2012, a slashing of as much as $40 million off the payroll this past season. The GM added that he likely would not spend all of that money up front to allow for midseason maneuvers and bonuses in contracts. That means the Mets' payroll actually may be less than $100 million on Opening Day. Still, Alderson insisted, waiting on Reyes into December or January will not hamstring other pursuits. He suggested that the amount of money devoted to other free agents is not overly contingent upon Reyes remaining or leaving. "It's not like we have an unlimited amount of money to spend," Alderson said. "But, at the same time, I don't think there are a lot of 'either-ors' that we have to face. ... In other words, we have an independent sense of what a closer would be worth to us based on what's out there. So if we have Jose, would we opt for somebody lower in that range rather than higher in that range? It's possible, but I don't think they're that dependent." Alderson agreed that projecting the contract Reyes ultimately will receive is difficult, since the position players who generally command the most in free agency are sluggers. It also is unclear how teams will price Reyes' history of hamstring injuries into their bids. Still, speaking generally, Alderson does not believe the days of seven-year contracts are over across baseball. "The way I look at it is you've got 30 different teams, and they all lie somewhere on a continuum," Alderson said. "At the one end of the continuum is the desire to win and be as competitive as possible. At the other end of the spectrum is the desire to make money or break even or what have you. "There are clubs on both ends of the spectrum, and a lot in the middle. And every year they change. So do I expect there to be at least one seven-year contract this year? Yeah." Alderson said the Mets already have formulated the level at which they are willing to bid on Reyes. "I think it's fair to say we've thought about this," Alderson said. "We have a sense of where we would be comfortable, or slightly less comfortable -- [and] totally uncomfortable." Adam Rubin covers the Mets for ESPNNewYork.com. Follow Adam Rubin on Twitter: @AdamRubinESPN

[Ceetar]

wouldn't be Rubin if he didn't dampen hopes.

Of course, Sandy says they have an uncomfortable range for Reyes. But that doesn't mean they won't do it, even if it makes them uncomfortable. He never says unreachable. He points out that Reyes doesn't affect the other signings. He mentions flexibility for mid-season acquisions (something you don't do when you're just planning on cutting payroll and riding it out)