Jose Reyes could have even more than his ridiculous offensive stats working in his favor as he heads towards free agency.
He also could have super agent Scott Boras in his corner.
According to a Foxsports.com report citing anonymous sources, the agent has met with the Mets’ shortstop. If Boras’ becomes Reyes’ agent, it almost certainly would reduce the chance that Reyes re-signs with the team.
Reyes is currently represented by Peter Greenberg, but Boras would not be tampering by speaking with the shortstop.
The Mets, still cash-strapped even if the partial sale to David Einhorn and his $200 million investment comes through, are unlikely to be the team that offers Reyes the largest contract. A switch to Boras also would likely eliminate the chance of the shortstop signing an extension with the team during the season before he hits the open market.
Reyes is making $11 million this season and owner Fred Wilpon scoffed at the notion that he would match the seven-year, $142 million deal Carl Crawford signed with the Red Sox last offseason.
Wilpon told The New Yorker early this season that Reyes isn’t worth Crawford money.
“[Reyes] thinks he’s going to get Carl Crawford money,” Wilpon said. “He’s had everything wrong with him. He won’t get it.”
That was before Reyes got off to the best start of his career, leading the National League with a .344 batting average, while ranking second in the NL with 24 stolen bases. He also has a major-league leading 12 triples.
General manager Sandy Alderson has spoken highly of Reyes since joining the organization, but the Mets had not made Reyes an offer.
Once thought to be a prime candidate to be moved by the July 31 trade deadline, Reyes’ superb play — coupled with the Mets’ recent improved performance — seemed to indicate that the Mets would consider hanging on to the shortstop for the rest of the season in hopes of re-signing him after the season or collecting draft picks if he were to sign elsewhere as a free agent.
If he ends up signing with Boras, who is famous for finding money no one thought was there, that plan would go up in smoke.