Sandy Alderson: Mets 'Very Unlikely' To Trade Jose Reyes
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) — Jose Reyes was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Mets on Thursday with a strained left hamstring that will keep him out of next week's All-Star game.
One report stated Reyes will need up to three weeks of rest. In that case, he would return right around the July 31 trading deadline, if not afterward. But for those fans that think Reyes has played his last game in blue and orange, think again.
"I think it's very unlikely that Jose will be traded this season," general manager Sandy Alderson said. "And that's without regard to his injury."
A report in the New York Post on Wednesday indicated the Mets and Reyes' agents, despite saying publicly no contract talks will take place until after the season, are set to begin secret negotiations to keep the superstar in New York. Alderson joked about it yesterday.
"I'll give you a secret signal when the secret negotiations start," Alderson said.
The shortstop injured his hamstring running to first base in the first inning against the New York Yankees on July 2. The move was retroactive to July 3.
"I'm disappointed because I want to be on the field," he told reporters before the Mets' 6-0 loss to the Dodgers.
Reyes led the major leagues in hitting with a .354 batting average entering Thursday night, and has helped keep the Mets in contention in the NL East.
The Mets made the decision on Reyes during a meeting Wednesday with him, manager Terry Collins, Alderson, doctors and the training staff.
"It came down to what's most important, three games or the next 50?" Collins said. "This guy's whole game is about his legs and what he's ready to bring to the game."
Collins wanted to err on the side of caution, even though he could have used Reyes as a pinch-hitter on the final four games of the road trip. Ruben Tejada has replaced Reyes at short.
"I know for a fact that sucker is going to hit a ball in the gap and he's going to go for a triple," he said. "I would not have been able to live with myself if he'd blown out between second and third."
Helping make the decision easier was the fact that the Mets had won four consecutive games since Reyes got hurt. The streak was busted on Thursday night.
"One of our concerns was if we have to disable this guy, what's the energy going to be like on the club? The way we've played in the last four days, I think our guys realize they still have to pick it up," Collins said. "His energy is still on the bench and it's that great smile and everything he brings to this team is still there, it's just not on the field."
Reyes will remain with the team for now, go to Phoenix for the All-Star game, and return to New York on Wednesday to resume treatment. After that, he would likely play in a few rehab games.
Collins said Reyes could return in time for the Mets' trip to Florida that begins July 22.
"I will start riding the bike nice and easy," Reyes said. "I'm going to take it day-by-day. I don't want to go back to the field too soon and blow my hamstring."
Nick Evans, an infielder/outfielder, was called up from Triple-A Buffalo to replace Reyes on the roster.
If the Mets don't trade Reyes, will they regret it? Sound off in the comments below...
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