Met SS Suddenly Has Loads of Downside
Jose Reyes used to play the game with such tenacity and joy that he angered opponents with his boyish enthusiasm. Emphasis on "used to."
These days, Reyes is wallowing on the disabled list with a calf strain that is mysteriously taking a long time to heal.
That's right—I said it. I don't think this kid is hurt at all. I think his attitude and his performance have declined to the point where the Mets have decided to shelve Reyes for awhile.
And you know what? The Mets haven't missed him one bit.
It's a shame when you a see a young player just take the game for granted like Reyes has. His numbers have been sinking and his head has been missing in action.
Reyes has not only made errors of commission, he's not hustling like he used to and those errors of omission are mounting to the point where few people are finding it amusing any more.
In 36 games this season, Reyes is batting .279 with two HR and 15 RBI. He has two triples and 11 stolen bases. Multiply those numbers by four and you have the season of a very average leadoff hitter. Factor in his fielding muffs and his base running faux pas and you have a very frustrating watch for Met fans.
Jerry Manuel, the Mets' manager says he has been trying to do little things to motivate Reyes. Whatever those things were, they backfired. Willie Randolph did a much better job keeping Reyes on task—but he's gone.
Two years ago , Reyes was on his way to super stardom. Now he may be on his way to Kansas City. Or Pittsburgh. Or not even a town in the major leagues.
Maybe Reyes will come back from Port St.Lucie with a new outlook. Maybe he'll come back and lead these dysfunctional Mets to a pennant—finally.
The way his replacement, Wilson Valdez has been playing, maybe he doesn't come back at all...
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