Jose Jose No Jose!

[Edgy MD]

Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. announced today that Colorado Rockies’ shortstop Jose Reyes has been placed on paid leave pending completion of his criminal proceedings in Hawaii, pursuant to Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. Section III.C.2 of the Policy permits the Commissioner to impose a paid suspension pending resolution of the legal proceedings or an investigation. Upon resolution of Reyes’ criminal proceedings and the completion of the Commissioner's Office's investigation into the incident, Commissioner Manfred will make a decision whether to impose discipline on Reyes. The Commissioner's Office will have no further comment on this matter until a final disposition is announced.

Trial scheduled for opening day.

[Frayed Knot]

Aroldis Chapman gets a 30-day suspension for his non-prosecuted alleged roughing up of a girlfriend and shooting off a gun multiple times in a garage.
He will NOT appeal the ruling, despite his earlier vow to do so, which leads one to believe that this sentence was reached with all parties involved.

[nymr83]

Frayed Knot wrote: Aroldis Chapman gets a 30-day suspension for his non-prosecuted alleged roughing up of a girlfriend and shooting off a gun multiple times in a garage. He will NOT appeal the ruling, despite his earlier vow to do so, which leads one to believe that this sentence was reached with all parties involved.

Yeah, this was negotiated because MLB learned from the NFL's experience where the arbitrator reduced suspensions for a wife-beater and a child-abuser. MLB gets their precedent set (30 games for domestic violence when you haven't even been charged with a crime) without anyone being able to overturn it. Chapman gets free agency after this year (the big deal for him despite his agent's big talk was really just making sure he got enough service time in for that)

I'd loved to have seen a bigger penalty, but I think this is a reasonable one considering the lack of charges and his agreement not to appeal.

[Vic Sage]

This still leaves open the possibility (likelihood, really) of a bigger suspension for the next guy if there is undisputed evidence of actual physical abuse (unlike this case) and/or charges are filed.

[nymr83]

Vic Sage wrote: This still leaves open the possibility (likelihood, really) of a bigger suspension for the next guy if there is undisputed evidence of actual physical abuse (unlike this case) and/or charges are filed.

which is win/win I think. good job by MLB here

[Frayed Knot]

Citing a "lack of cooperation" from the wife/alleged victim, prosecutors in Maui have dropped the criminal charges against Jose Reyes.
Now MLB is free to rule having put off a decision until the legal process played itself out.

With Yanx reliever Chapman getting 30 games for an incident which didn't result in charges, you'd have to figure that 30 would be the starting point in this case.
On the other hand one could argue that at least there was no gunfire involved in this one.

[ashie62]

Sounds like the NFL.

[Edgy MD]

What a terrible catch-22 it puts the wife in. By cooperating, she's undermining her husband's livelihood, and therefore seemingly undermining the interests of herself and her children.

Even moreso in the NFL, where a released player gets squat.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I was glad to see that the Rockies didn't let arbitration eligibility get in the way of Trevor Story being named the starter at short. What happens when Jose Reyes comes back? Please tell me that his large salary doesn't automatically give him his place back.

The Rockies aren't going to send Story down when Reyes comes back, are they? The guy is overpaid and has a bad attitude, not to mention he apparently beats his wife. I know cutting him requires the management group to admit they made a big mistake in bringing him here in the first place. Story has earned a starting spot with his early play.

Chris and Nancy: This is a hot topic that I will linger over the Rockies until the Reyes situation is resolved. As you probably know, Reyes will not go to trial in Hawaii on charges of domestic abuse after his wife refused to testify. Major League Baseball, however, can still suspend Reyes under its new domestic violence policy. That decision would come any day now, though I imagine there are still issues to be worked out with the players' association. My guess is that commissioner Rob Manfred will suspend Reyes from between 30-50 games, but that's just a guess. Others believe he'll get an 80-game suspension. OK, now on to your questions. First of all, Story will not be sent down if or when Reyes returns. I think the Rockies are committed to Story as their starting shortstop. He's earned the job and he's having an historic early season. I'm not saying Story will never be sent down to Triple-A. If he falls into a prolonged slump — something that could happen given his youth and proclivity to strike out, he could be optioned to Triple-A. I don't think that's going to happen, and I know that Story won't be bumped for Reyes. Another big question is what the Rockies will do with Reyes once MLB makes its decision. He's owed $48 million over the next two seasons (counting a $4 million buyout after 2017). Would the Rockies actually eat that contract money and simply release Reyes? They just might. Here is what owner Dick Monfort told me last week. I asked him: Will the public relations aspect to the Reyes decision and the fans reaction to it play a part in what you do with him? Monfort replied: "I'd like to know exactly what exactly happened. It's easy for us all to speculate on whatever happened. But until we really know, it's hard. You're dealing with a guy's life, too. But if he did something wrong, he should pay for it." Monfort wants to be fair to Reyes and respect his legal rights, but this is a major quandary for the Rockies and MLB. There is a public relations angle at work here. Here is what I think could happen: • Reyes will be suspended for 30-50 games and will subsequently lose money for each game he misses. • I do not think the Rockies will be able to trade Reyes to another team, because of his high salary and his current, controversial situation. • The Rockies will sit tight while Reyes serves his suspension, then they will release him, thus saving some of the money originally owed him, but still having to eat the remainder of his contract. In other words, I don't see Reyes playing for the Rockies again. This is only my prediction of what could happen. There could be legal ramifications of which I am not aware. Plus, we really don't know what happened in that hotel room in Hawaii. This I know, Story is the starting shortstop for now and for the future.

Rockies Mailbag

[Benjamin Grimm]

ESPN.com wrote: The Colorado Rockies designated embattled shortstop Jose Reyes for assignment on Wednesday. Before making the move, the Rockies reinstated Reyes from the restricted list, where he had been since being suspended under the league's domestic violence policy. The Rockies now have 10 days to either trade him, release him or have him accept a demotion to the minors.

[Frayed Knot]

Mmmmm, that's a nice $40 million lunch [approx $16 for the remainder of this season + $22 in '17 + $4 in buyout]
And this insures that the six year deal he signed with the Marlins will be split among at least four organizations.

[RealityChuck]

There even suggestions that the Mets sign him, which gets 100 on the "Hell, no" scale.

[TransMonk]

If he's released, can't he sign with any team for a minimal amount (obviously triggering a void of his previous contract in the process)?

I'm not sure what the chances are of him getting released, but I'd let Reyes play third for the vet minimum if Wright is out the remainder of the year. What is there to lose? I'd bet Jose would love to play in NYC again.

[Benjamin Grimm]

If he's claimed on waivers, the claiming team is responsible for his salary. (I don't see that happening.)

But if he's released, the Rockies are on the hook and the team that signs him only has to pay the major-league minimum salary.

[TransMonk]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: But if he's released, the Rockies are on the hook and the team that signs him only has to pay the major-league minimum salary.

That's what I was thinking. I'd be fine with trying him out in that scenario.

He'd have as much speed as anyone else on the team and has the potential to get on base...two things the Mets lack even at full strength. If he flops, he didn't cost any prospects and a minimal amount of cash.

[Frayed Knot]

The other alternative is a trade.
Not sure who thinks they're a SS/IF away from competing right now but, if there is one, they might agree to send a warm body in exchange for the Rox picking up merely most of the money.
Of course you know the Rox already explored trade possibilities and wound up DFA'ing him anyway, although the prospect that he'll soon be on the open market could kick some team's butt towards the idea of a trade rather than letting him hit the open market.


The problem with picking him up as Wright insurance is that every AB he gets at 3B is one that Flores doesn't get and at some point the Mets need to find out what we've got in this enigma known as Wilmer. The recent pick-up of Kelly Johnson argues against this also.
Perhaps a bit ironically is that the only need we'd have for him would be as a replacement for the only IF who hasn't been hurt this season.


oe: Jose's .310 OBA in 2015 doesn't argue strongly for his getting on base skills these days

[Edgy MD]

Unless they work real hard to hammer out a meaningful joint statement up front, one thing they'd have to lose is credibility as an organization that won't tolerate domestic assault.

[Ceetar]

Edgy MD wrote: Unless they work real hard to hammer out a meaningful joint statement up front, one thing they'd have to lose is credibility as an organization that won't tolerate domestic assault.

yes, meaningful joint statements fix everything.

[Edgy MD]

I didn't write that, so I ask you... again... to please spare me the smug responses.

[nymr83]

i prefer they takea stand and say NO to wife-beaters, i dont care what he costs.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Adam Rubin says the Mets are "softening" on bringing back Reyes.

A source told ESPN.com that the Mets are at least considering bringing back Reyes, presumably once he becomes a free agent, and the organization would be responsible only for a prorated portion of the MLB minimum salary.

But he probably wouldn't play shortstop:

Asdrubal Cabrera is clicking at shortstop for the Mets, so Reyes likely would need to forgo his customary position (and possibly move to third base). If he played second base, that would require Neil Walker moving to third base.

[seawolf17]

I have fond memories of watching Jose whack triples into the gap and race around the bases, but no thanks.

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

Other than as a utility guy, I can't see a scenario where Reyes makes sense. And I don't think he's versatile enough to be a utility player.

[Edgy MD]

Well, thar be some weaknesses he potentially offsets on offense. He's a contact hitter where the Mets have a surfeit (an embarrassing surfeit) of swing-and-miss guys. He may be a shadow of the base-stealer and baserunner he was, but he'd instantly become the most effective and threatening guy on the bases if he was to put on a Mets uniform. He can bunt, and hit and run, and use the whole field, which are also tools the Mets lack. He also brings whatever he brings to the morale, which is something I'm not quite sure of, but Terry seems optimistic about it, so I thought I'd mention that even though my faith is wavering.

His position would be I-dunno. His on-base percentage would be a concern day-in and day-out. His potential to be a PR embarrassment and a slap in the face to women and all who love them is certainly a real concern. I guess one best-case scenario would be Shawon Dunston '99, but he'd have to be down with being a multi-position player. And while child-like joy is contagious, so is child-like sulking and self-pity and self-centeredness.

I'm punting to you, Sandy!

[Guest d'Kong76]

I'll take a shot of Dilson, please.

[Lefty Specialist]

d'Kong76 wrote: I'll take a shot of Dilson, please.

Yeah, I'd prefer this to Reyes. But Jeffy-boy (I actually heard him speak!) seems to be leaning toward getting him.

He'd have to play third because you're not going to play two people out of position. I have no idea how well he'd do over there (and neither does anyone else). Even his vastly-diminished tools play better than most of the roster right now, which is kind of scary.

[Guest jerseyshore]

seemed like a good thread to recall days that have long since passed. Reyes is not the only dinosaur in this thread. That being said, who do you want coming off the bench...Ty Kelly or Jose Reyes (before you answer, consider that it may actually be Reyes who is cheaper)

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Edgy MD wrote: Well, that be some weaknesses he potentially offsets on offense. He's a contact hitter where the Mets have a surfeit (an embarrassing surfeit) of swing-and-miss guys. He may be a shadow of the base-stealer and baserunner he was, but he'd instantly become the most effective and threatening guy on the bases if he was to put on a Mets uniform. He can bunt, and hit and run, and use the whole field, which are also tools the Mets lack. He also brings whatever he brings to the morale, which is something I'm not quite sure of, but Terry seems optimistic about it, so I thought I'd mention that even though my faith is wavering. His position would be I-dunno. His on-base percentage would be a concern day-in and day-out. His potential to be a PR embarrassment and a slap in the face to women and all who love them is certainly a real concern. I guess one best-case scenario would be Shawon Dunston '99, but he'd have to be down with being a multi-position player. And while child-like joy is contagious, so is child-like sulking and self-pity and self-centeredness. I'm punting to you, Sandy!

i like this argument
.much relies on josejosejose's attitude but you wonder if he's gonna come back, maybe itshoud be here.

[Fman99]

Certainly, the good will built up over his initial years, built up by playing good baseball for the good guys, is something he doesn't really have anywhere else, considering his domestic incident.

Assuming he clears waivers and you can get him for a song, I say, hell yes, go get him.

Some rag now saying he's "desperate" to return to the Mets.

[Guest cooby]

Please reread page one everyone