New York Mets offer arbitration to free agent Jose Reyes – MLB Update
The management of New York Mets completed their formality of offering arbitration to their free agent player Jose Reyes and thus ensure themselves of two draft picks if the player departs this offseason. The Miami Marlins have already extended an initial
offer to the All-Star shortstop and offering arbitration in this situation was nothing more than a formal procedure.
Although Reyes is a known case for leg injuries, his batting title this season coupled with an excellent performance at shortstop has made his case more complicated for the Mets, who are trying hard to slash their payroll for the next season. Re-signing
Reyes at an inflated amount was never an option for the ballclub, but the 90-million-dollar, six-year initial offer extended by the Marlins leaves no other choice for the Mets.
The Mets are looking to inject new blood in the roster in a bid to make a strong combination for the longer term, but seeing Reyes play for a rival ballclub will not come easy with the management. Had they lured him into an extension of contract, things
might have been different for both parties, but Reyes seems to be comfortable with the idea of changing alliance and playing for the Marlins when they take field on April 4, 2012 at their new ballpark in South Florida.
Nevertheless, Reyes’ departure from the ballclub will ease the pressure on the payroll and thus help in the rebuilding process. Citi Field, along with the roster, is undergoing renovation and is expected to be more neutral to batters, who have been at a
disadvantage previously. Reyes, however, was a brutal force during his tenure at Citi Field and his offensive power will surely be missed, unless a resolute offer is made by the management.
“We’re not just going to sit around and wait to see what Jose is going to do before we look at other aspects of the team going forward,” a team official said. “We’re also going to be concentrating on doing some other things.”
The Marlins have also extended offers to Albert Pujols and Mark Buehrle, but they are initial as well and there has been no further progress in this regard.
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