Over the season, I was heartbroken as I was watching Jose Reyes knock the cover off the ball knowing that it could very well be next season when he will no longer be wearing a Mets uniform. As the weeks and months passed, I managed to convince myself Reyes was going nowhere, and he and the Mets will find someway to keep him in a Mets uniform. As the season ended, reality kicked in, Reyes isn't going to stay because the Mets can't afford it. In the days since the World Series ended, I realized it's better that way.
Reason #1 Don't fall behind: Hypothetically speaking, let's say the Mets sign Reyes to a five year, $85 million contract. That adds $17 million to the annual payroll for the next five years. 17 million less to spend on potential free agents, 17 million less to spend on the farm system, 17 million less to spend on organization growth, 17 million less to spend scouts, 17 million more to fall behind the other four teams in their division, 15 in their league, and 29 in baseball – per year – for the next five years.
Reason #2 Legs don't last forever: Reyes's game is based around his legs. Run out an infield single, make a double into a triple, steal bases. Reyes is 28 years old. For now on the good side of 30. For now. In three years he will be on the bad side of 30. Let's return to that five year contract, in years three, four, and five, Reyes won't be the same player he is in years one and two. As years go on stolen bases will lower. Reyes won't be the same player he is, he will no longer be worth that $17 million. In football, teams are skeptical to give a running back a big contract when he is in his upper 20's, should not the same apply to Reyes?
Reason #3 Injury history: I need not go through Reyes's extensive injury history, we all know it too well, some more than others. Reyes has gotten injured many times throughout his career, and is a gamble. His hamstrings, his quads, his oblique. Going back to our original contract, would you be willing to take a $17 million gamble for every year for the next five years?
I know Reyes livens the fanbase, excites the fans and the team, but is a $17 million underachiever, injured player worth it?
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