The Mets are beginning to “warm up” to the idea of a reunion with Jose Reyes, according to Newsday’s David Lennon. While Lennon cautions that those familiar with the team’s thinking won’t characterize it as any sort of sure thing, the team has begun to discuss the idea more seriously over the past several days, per Lennon. While Reyes has privately voiced a willingness to play third base if it means returning to Queens, Lennon hears that the Mets have also considered sliding Neil Walker to the hot corner when discussing various scenarios, which could open second base for Reyes. The Mets won’t be able to make anything happen on the Reyes front until this weekend, as he still needs to be placed on release waivers and clear (a 48-hour process) before he’s eligible to sign else where.
Here’s more from the National League East:
- While Reyes is one infield option for the Mets, Fangraphs’ Dave Cameron opines that a trade for Danny Valencia is the perfect fit for New York. In perusing the teams that are likely to emerge as sellers this summer, Cameron notes that there’s a lack of impact bats available that can handle third base. Valencia is the exception, he writes, noting that the former platoon weapon has emerged as a legitimate threat to right-handed pitching over the past season-plus. Indeed, Valencia is hitting .304/.355/.528 across his past 155 contests, and his $3.2MM salary is eminently affordable. Cameron’s assessment is sound, and I’ll add to his argument that the remainder of Valencia’s relatively modest salary is less than the roughly $5.5MM the Mets stand to recoup from the insurance policy on Wright’s contract. Valencia is controllable through 2017 as well, and as Cameron points out, he’d serve as a safety net at third base in the event that Wright is again unable to take the field for the majority of the 2017 campaign.
- Catcher Wilson Ramos has been a force for the Nationals this year, and Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post explores what his breakout means for the organization. “It hasn’t changed a lot for me,” said GM Mike Rizzo. “Since we traded for him, we’ve always seen the upside. We knew he was as good an offensive catcher as there is in the game.” The Nats certainly do not appear to have an everyday option waiting in the wings at the position, so it’s not hard to see the rationale for bringing back the pending free agent. Rizzo suggested that an extension could make sense, even at this point of the season, though he declined to spill any details. “I don’t think it’s ever too late or too early to think about [an extension],” he said. “We’ve got a plan in place for all the guys we have. He’s a guy we see as a long-term asset for us. Those are conversations we keep internal.”
- Earlier this week FOX’s Jon Morosi reported that the Marlins have interest in Rays righty Jake Odorizzi, and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald hears the same. However, Jackson also notes that the Marlins are aware that their farm system isn’t teeming with the types of players that it would take to net a controllable arm such as Odorizzi. Prior to the season, Baseball America and ESPN’s Keith Law both rated the Marlins’ farm system 29th among all 30 teams, with only the Angels trailing them. That, paired with the team’s perennially low payroll, makes the Marlins’ search for rotation help a bit more difficult than it might be for most clubs. Jackson also adds that the Marlins figure to skip one more Jose Fernandez start later this season in an effort to conserve some of his innings for a potential postseason berth.
Valencia is overrated.
Counterpoint: Valencia is underrated.
A lack of 3B depth make great beer goggles.
how so?
Not really, he’s hit for 2 straight years now. His defense is iffy, but besides that he’s a very good player
Guys I am joking. Just going back to the Top 15 trade candidates reference. I think the guy is playing great and would be a welcome addition to most.
Valencia would be a solid addition, but the cost is going to be too high.
Reyes is really as much of a no brainer as can be, as long as he’s going to be OK with potentially having a quasi-bench role. The cost is going to be major league minimum, and I’d have to think he’d love to get back to the Mets. I’m not sure that he really has much left, but he only has to be better than Matt Reynolds and Eric Campbell to be worthwhile. Best case scenario, the Mets have finally solved the leadoff hole they have had since Reyes left in first place (I know Granderson was good last year, but he should have been hitting lower in the lineup)
4th in wRC among third basemen the last two years (min 200 PA) with 140
Behind Donaldson, Machado, and Carpenter.
He isn’t that great defensively, but he’s been a good hitter
Is he worse than Flores? Now, I know Flores was a heart warming story last year, but if he can’t produce as a utility guy, then he has no career in Queens. Valencia gives the Mets stability, offensively, at a position that has been SCREAMING for it ever since Wright became injury laden after 2012. Valencia could be a part of something that resembles (even remotely) last year’s Cespedes acquisition.
Marlins will need to bring in a third team to land Odorizzi
Third teams not gonna help. This is when the Marlins wish you could trade draft picks in the mlb because there’s no point of trading from the roster and there’s nothing on the farm.
Based on what went on today with Syndergaard and Cespedes I think bringing in Reyes makes the most sense. We (Mets) have so many injuries/question marks. Wright (done), Duda ( no timetable ), d”Arnaud ( what are we gonna get out of him ), Harvey ( will he be like his last start or like the 3 prior ), deGrom ( will he get to 2015 form ), Lagares ( ligament wont heal till mid Aug. ), Wheeler ( being pulled back, elbow discomfort ), Syndergaard/Cespedes (?)……. We have time before the trade deadline for some of these question marks to get answered. So before we go trading away any talent bring in Reyes and lets see what, if anything we get out of him. These next 18 games will tell us a lot about where our health is and which way we are headed.
if they’re thinking of using Reyes in 2B and moving walker over, I would think the better option would be to call up Dilson Herrera…
Dilson Herrera would be a far superior option to Reyes. Definitely should have him up soon, however with Flores and Loney playing decently for now I guess there is no rush. But I’m assuming Loney’s luck will run out as he’s not very good and they can bring up Herrera and Nimmo while we’re at it and ditching De Aza
Marlins want to nab a young starter but I see nothing in their system worthy of netting such.
Which, obviously, leads to moving from their ML roster and even then. If they move a Yellich or Ozuna, who’s going to fill the loss of production, Ichiro? It’s just tough to see anything major getting done unless they sell what prospects they have in bulk.
so many teams will be buying SP. i dont see how the Marlins or O’s can get a top arm. name 1 Prospect you would want from those teams for a good SP. Please dont say Kolek or Bundy. Stranger things have happened i guess . i think the Rangers. Astros will buy..and they have a better talent pool than the O’s or Marlins.
You aren’t noticing Chris Paddack at Greensboro. The just turned 20 pitcher is about as valuable as any baseball asset.