Hanley Ramirez will not be in town when the Marlins host Jose Reyes this afternoon at their new ballpark, according to the Sun-Sentinel. The two infielders are very good friends, with Ramirez being Godfather to Jose’s daughter.
In early October, manager Ozzie Guillen said to the Sun-Sentinel that Ramirez told him he would be willing to change positions if the Marlins can sign Reyes.
Original Post at 8:40 am:
In a report to the Daily News John Harper says the Marlins plan to offer Jose Reyes a three-year deal at a high annual average, presumably more than $20 million a year.
According to Harper, Mets people “privately downplayed the significance of the Marlins’ aggressiveness” in their pursuit of Jose Reyes. Sandy Alderson told Harper just because the Mets did not make Reyes an offer before free agency does not mean they are not serious about re-signing him.
“Every team has their own strategy,” Alderson said, according to Harper. “Are we keeping the long-term in mind? Yes, while making every effort to be competitive next year as well. Does being as competitive as we can be next year dictate signing Jose Reyes at any cost? I don’t think so.”
The sad thing is, the Mets looked at Reyes like a five-year player last summer. And so, had he taken the advice of his friends, agents and family, and opened talks with the Mets about an extension, I bet he could have signed a deal similar to what he will find available to him today from other teams. However, following two leg injuries and catching a glimpse of the player he might become, as opposed to the player he is (or was), I think the Mets now see him as a four-year player. To be frank, strictly as a value play, I bet the Mets and other teams would prefer to sign Reyes to a three-year deal, but that’s totally unrealistic given the market. In the end, I still think he can expect to get five-year offers from multiple teams, and roughly $18 million per season, with that possibly bumping up to six if one team gets eager or desperate.
The way I understand it, Jose has wanted to test the market so much that even if the Mets were to offer him his ideal deal, I still think he’d want to hear from other teams first. And so, the Mets and Jose’s camp have been in touch and I believe they know where one another stands. He’ll talk to other teams, and the Mets will need to beat what’s out there. The thing is, I don’t see the Mets budging, and I see no way Jose leaves any money on the table (because the teams pitching him will all be appealing (either because of demographics, location, culture, opportunity, etc.). It’s a win-win for him.
To read Harper’s entire article about Reyes for the Daily News, click here.
