My Case for Jose Reyes

Man…

I long for the fanpost that argues that we sign or trade for someone who has never made an All-Star game.

Yes, the lineup would look great with Reyes at the top. I wouldn’t mind going after him, but I don’t think we realistically will. after coming so close in 2006, DD went out and put together a lineup that everyone thought was going to dominate… only to miss the playoffs in 07 and do even worse in 08. adding Renteria, Sheffield and of course the Miggy/Willis trade had us as a pre-season World Series favorite and couldn’t even make the post season. Same goes for the Phillies and Red Sox this year. Both spent BIG money and we see how that worked for them.

it isn’t the big, top dollar guy via free agency or trade that’s going to make the difference next year. I’m thinking Dombrowski learned his lesson and will shy away from Reyes; that and the enormous price tag. I’d just like to see an upgrade at 3rd and a solid 7th inning arm. We need to find that guy who can really be depended on to transition the game from our starters to Benoit and Valverde.

It’s a pretty risky move. There’s not much chance of Reyes signing for less than 20M for 5 years. I think our payroll can do that, especially if Ilitch wants to increase payroll to 130M again.

However, it means that Cabrera, Verlander, VMart, and Reyes would all be locked in at pretty big paychecks for the next 3+ years. We’re talking 75-80M for four players. That’s a pretty huge chunk for anyone under 180M payroll. A major injury or general decline from any of those four would pretty well hinder the organization from addressing any needs through free agency. It’s also possible that we might not be able to afford arbitration raises to some of our younger players in 2014, 2015.

Like I said, I like Reyes and I think that it’s the move we should make if we’re looking to make a splash…but I can certainly see the arguments against it.

Not surgery. We were a decent relief pitcher from moving on this year. Look at what we’ve done for what we had. I think we need one infielder preferably a 2nd baseman. All we need is good defense hit maybe 10 or so homeruns at bat least 260 or so and be steady. Is this guy really that hard to find? Maybe, but I trust DD will do his best. We need a relief pitcher (right handed), a backup catcher, and a 2nd baseman. I dont think we have to break the bank to do it. We have room and options via players, trades, and money. Maybe not resign Santiego? Trade Perry, Rayburn, Inge, Dirks? (Inge would be tough with his contract). Or maybe a mediocre free agent. We dont need to break the bank, we havent even made a move yet for next year, and, I would think we are already favored to take the Central again (As of right now). I am not opposed to signing Reyes, but as has already been pointed out, that may be too many eggs in one basket. >

I’m not quite sure what you mean by this.

On Opening Day 2012, Don Kelly will be 32 years old. In 626 career plate appearances, he has hit .240/.285/.363 with an OPS+ of 74. He is not a good offensive player and at his age, I think he’s reached any potential he’s going to get to.

First, Jhonny Peralta has never played a game at second base in the majors, so I don’t think moving him to second is a good idea.

Everyone assumes that Ilitich will get this “big bat” through free agency, but I believe that the Tigers could do this through a trade. I say this because I don’t know if any of the free agents are a great fit. First, Reyes is a speed guy who usually has a hamstring injury or two over the course of a season. Second, whoever wins his services will have to pay for an unsustainable .337 AVG.
I wouldn’t mind one year of Aramis Ramirez, but only one year.

As for the reliever, I would love Detroit to sign Jonathan Broxton to a $2-3 mil. incentive-laden deal. LA will probably release him with Kenley Jansen emerging as the closer. If Broxton doesn’t regain his 09 form then Detroit has a decent 7th-8th inning guy. If Broxton does regain his form, then we could have a scary back of the bullpen.

He has one (two) ($15MM 2012/ $16MM 2013 option) year(s) left, and the Mets are informally shopping him. His last two years haven’t been pretty and he can void the option if he chooses, so he might be had for relatively cheap. Not that we should necessarily, just that he’s an option. Ilitch likes his stars and Dombrowski likes to shatter the off-season with blockbuster trades.

One thing I’m sure of, Razor Ramon is gone. He’s going to be a starter somewhere, I feel it in my bones.

and then swing for the fences on him.

But I think the Reds will keep him.

God when will this stop!?!?!? I’m actually happy about it. Not into moving Peralta, and his injuries worry me at that price. Ah…..rosterbating….

can’t wait for those to start.

Hey guys. I have been reading BYB for the last 3 years religiously and have never really felt the need to comment on something…until now.

No one has mentioned Mr. Reyes’ self-departure from the lineup in the last game of the season this year to seal up the NL batting title. Would he have done that if the Mets were contending for a pennant this year? I don’t know. But do we really want to introduce that type of self-absorption into the Tigers’ baseball culture? I know Leyland would never stand for such antics, but if Reyes did it once, that’s enough for me to say it’s in his blood to give up and quit again. That’s too much of a risk for $20M, in my book.