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June 18, 2011 Latest Mets News Joe Janish

Jose Reyes Meets with Scott Boras

Several outlets are re-reporting Ken Rosenthal’s scoop that Jose Reyes and Scott Boras have met in regard to the shortstop’s representation in contract negotiations.

Oh boy. Would the Mets have any chance of re-signing Reyes if he hires Boras?

Obviously, this is not good news for the Wilpons, Sandy Alderson, or Mets fans. As we from his past history, Boras generally has his clients find their best price on the open market. And based on what we have heard about the Mets’ financial situation, it would seem unlikely that the Mets would be able to win a bidding war for Reyes.

But there is another wrinkle added to the situation: with Boras as his agent, other teams would be less inclined to make a deadline deal to obtain Reyes — especially if their intent was to sign him to an extension upon acquiring him. So, if it turns out that Boras represents Reyes, the possibility of the Mets fetching a lucrative package of prospects for the shortstop becomes slim.

Of course, just because Reyes has been talking to Boras does not mean that Jose will drop his old agent Peter Greenberg. But we’ll find out soon.

If the situation was different, I might be fuming mad about Reyes considering Boras — I might think of Jose as being money-hungry and greedy. But after the Mets refused to talk extension with Reyes over the winter, and especially after Fred Wilpon put his foot in his mouth saying Reyes wouldn’t get “Crawford money”, I can’t blame Jose for seeking out Boras — I really can’t. Maybe I’m naive, but I genuinely believe that Reyes would have considered giving the Mets a “hometown discount” if the front office didn’t publicly act so arrogant and condescending toward him. Things could have been completely different behind closed doors so I can only comment on what has been out in public, and from what I’ve seen and heard, the Mets have been lighting fires on the bridge between them and Reyes.

What do you think? Is it smart of Reyes to consider Boras as his agent? If indeed Boras does represent Reyes, do you think the Mets will have any chance at all of re-signing him? Post your notes in the comments.

Joe Janish began MetsToday in 2005 to provide the unique perspective of a high-level player and coach -- he earned NCAA D-1 All-American honors as a catcher and coached several players who went on to play pro ball. As a result his posts often include mechanical evaluations, scout-like analysis, and opinions that go beyond the numbers. Follow Joe's baseball tips on Twitter at @onbaseball and at the On Baseball Google Plus page.
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  1. Joe June 18, 2011 at 4:19 pm
    Can’t really see how talking to the guy will hurt his chances on the whole. If the Mets don’t get him, who would likely get him? Does Reyes care where he plays? As to Mets having a chance if Boras represents him, ha, never say never. But, why have him if you don’t want to get the money (and years) the Mets aren’t likely to give you?
  2. DaMetsman in Washington State June 18, 2011 at 4:58 pm
    The Mets are as likely as anyone to sign Reyes at year’s end. There is little doubt that Jose enjoys playing in NY and can handle the hoard of media types. He has a beautiful home on LI and flights to the DR are as numerous from NY as from anywhere in the country. You only leave NY for far greener pastures or because you don’t like the circus. More importantly, which team is in a position to sign a $20 mil a year player for 6-8 years? The Giants, Reds and Brewers come to mind. For all three, adding Reyes would likely guarantee a post-season appearance. However, none of them can afford Jose and why would he leave NY for those venues unless the $ were far superior? And don’t forget, those teams will also lose draft choices. The market for Reyes is to a great degree softened if the Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies, Cardinals, Angels and Tigers are not in the mix. Not likely more than one or two of those teams will be inquiring. Two things are near certainties: Reyes will finish the season with the Mets (because they will not get anything better than two high draft choices they are assured if he walks) and the Mets will be substantive players in signing him to a long-term deal (he will get somewhere between Werth-money and Crawford-money). Right now, the Mets have a potential MVP having the kind of season all of us Mets fans have been looking for from an everyday player for 50 years. Dump him now, or fail to make a respectable offer later, and the Mets ownership and front-office risks losing tens of thousands of fannies, including yours truly.
    • Joe Janish June 18, 2011 at 9:03 pm
      I don’t understand what you mean by saying that the Giants, Reds, and Brewers are in position to sign a player for $20M/year for 6-8 years, then say that none of those three teams can afford it. Which is it? Do you think they can, or they can’t?

      If Reyes remains healthy and keeps up his current pace, I see the Yankees and Red Sox DEFINITELY getting in on the bidding — if only to keep each other honest. Further, I can see both Chicago teams considering making offers, as well as the Phillies. And don’t forget the Nationals, who have plenty more money beyond what they gave Werth. And there are certainly other teams with interest. In short, Reyes is in for a major payday. Yes there are a number of flights going from NY to the DR but he’ll have enough dough to buy his own Lear jet.

      And I don’t think it’s a near certainty that Reyes finishes the season with the Mets. If they go into a losing streak between now and the end of the July that makes the Wild Card unlikely, they will be looking to deal Reyes to a desperate team.

      • Gavin June 19, 2011 at 6:03 am
        I doubt the Yankees and Red Sox are players. The Yankees efforts this offseason will be focussed on starting pitching, which includes re-signing Sabathia. The Red Sox have a good prospect at SS in the minors. The Cubs have Starlin Castro which probably rules them out and the White Sox have Alexi Ramirez.

        With so many high payroll teams unlikely to bid for Reyes, that may bring his asking price down

        • izzy June 19, 2011 at 11:00 am
          Doubting both the Yankees and Red Sox are players for the top free agent on the market is merely wishful thinking. The Red sox have a prospect. Oh my, if they sign Reyes they then have a great younf trading chip. Think the Yankees wouldn’t love to destroy whatver credibility the Mets have left in the region. See how much they would revel in stealing Reyes. They had no problem making room for ex-Mets who were popular with Met fans, Cone, Strawman Gooden… They would go nuts for the chance to steal Reyes. The Nats; richest owner in the game. Think they wouldn’t be willing to take on one more big salary and trade Desmond? Phils have almost as much money coming off the books as the Mets do, and they had no problem letting werth go. They’s have no problem doing same to Rollins. Maybe Alderson can sign Rollins for 3 years 25 million and tell us one guy is as good as another.
  3. George June 18, 2011 at 8:08 pm
    Rosenthal then reported that Reyes spoke with NY reporters, and said that there’s NO chance he’s switching agents. Hopefully this means there’s a little more hope he’s staying with the Mets, but we never know…