Jose Reyes not the Mets' only issue
Angel Pagan starts a seventh-inning rally by hitting a double. (Aug. 6, 2011) Credit: David Pokress
David Wright clearly was happy about the changes to Citi Field in talking about the stadium's modifications the other day. But before hanging up the phone, the Mets' third baseman had a question of his own.
"Have you heard anything about Jose?" Wright asked.
When it comes to the future of the free-agent shortstop, everyone wants some insight into where Jose Reyes will play next season, a small clue as to what will swing his decision -- aside from the obvious financial numbers.
Reyes' representatives stayed mum on the subject less than 24 hours into their client's free agency, which began at 12:01 a.m. Thursday. Though they now can field offers from other clubs, apparently it's not something that's being shopped around at this point. Not with more than a month left before the winter meetings begin in Dallas.
In the meantime, the Mets have other needs to fill, starting with the bullpen and possibly including centerfield and a backup catcher. If they choose to non-tender Angel Pagan and Ronny Paulino, that could save Sandy Alderson roughly $7 million for 2012. Finding replacements, however, won't be so easy.
Oft-injured centerfielder Grady Sizemore seems to be too much of a health risk, even if he accepts an incentive-laden deal. The agent for Coco Crisp told the San Francisco Chronicle that he prefers to stay on the West Coast. David DeJesus, who could be offered arbitration, would cost the Mets a draft pick they don't want to part with during their rebuilding process.
As for potential closers, cash will be the biggest determining factor. And with a glut on the market, that could work to the Mets' benefit. It's what Alderson is thinking, anyway.
"We have an independent sense of what a closer would be worth to us based on what's out there," Alderson said. "So if we have Jose, would we opt for somebody low in that range rather than higher? It's possible, but I don't think they're that dependent, those two variables."
MacDonald departs. The Mets announced that Tommy Tanous has replaced Chad MacDonald as the club's director of amateur scouting. MacDonald spent only a year with the Mets but was instrumental in the team's selection of two high school players with their top two picks in the June draft: outfielder Brandon Nimmo (13th overall) and righthander Michael Fulmer (No. 44). MacDonald left to become a vice president and assistant GM under newly hired Josh Byrnes in San Diego. Tanous, 42, had been a professional scout with the Mets before his promotion.
