Jose Reyes' defection to Miami Marlins leaves many questions for New York Mets - MLB Feature
Amidst all contradictory statements, it has surfaced that Jose Reyes, all star shortstop and National League batting champion last year was let down by New York Mets in extending his contract. Earlier everybody believed, Mets will go all-out for retaining
Reyes and will put any amount of money to lure him back, but sources claim even if he was offered less money than he has been awarded now, which is a six year $108 million contract by the Marlins.
Sources close to Reyes have revealed this and if it is true it seriously contradicts with Miami Marlins President David Samson who claimed earlier that Reyes was h**l-bent to get as much money as possible to leave the Mets.
"He said, ‘I really want to play in Miami as long as you pay me $1 more than anyone else," Samson said. "'I really want to make the most money I can.'"
When Reyes’ deal with Marlins was not confirmed, speculations as the Mets were to be affected badly by his absence and that they will never let this happen. At a time deal was finalised and Reyes was ensured a six year contract by Marlins, somewhat arrogant
and greedy posture of Reyes appeared on media. Keeping money ahead of his memorable time at a club where he spent best time of his career and won many laurels while being their part exposed him negatively to his fans.
Possible point of contention among Mets’ management, as sources claim was duration of the contract. As per Mets insiders, they were not agreeing on awarding more than a four year deal and when no point of agreement was reached, no effort was afforded in
hurling an offer to Reyes let alone holding any meeting with him.
The fact he has now effectively joined the Marlins and showed up in a couple of Spring Training games, it will be sheer distraction for him to come up with clarifications. Worse can be a leak-out of information previously held between President David Samson
and him.
Reyes boasts a standing among 100 baseball players who have stolen highest numbers of bases with 370 and was nominated for playing in 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game as a shortstop, though he did not appear due to an injury. Above all, he has contributed
to 423 RBIs in his career along with a .292 batting average and 81 home runs. His time with Mets in particular proved ideal for him as not only he grabbed number of distinctions, he became their all time best players in terms of bringing runs, stolen bases
and triples.
Marlins are extremely hopeful of Reyes repeating the same performance he displayed last season and helps them make up for their humiliating end in 2011 when they saw 90 losses and 72 wins in the standings. So far Reyes has played one Spring Training game
against Detroit Tigers and while facing three at-bats he ended up hitless. While he has yet to unleash his best, the club seems to be struggling in Spring Training facing back-to-back defeats against the Tigers and Mets.
Regardless of his team performance so far, he is confident of going through another tremendous season of his life. Drama surrounding his free agency and then later inking an agreement with Marlins has actually raised expectations from him and it will be
interesting to see how he will justify his inclusion.
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