Mets Won't Rule Out Jose Reyes Trade

What is it about shortstops in New York this offseason?

Derek Jeter and the Yankees are at each others' throats in the Bronx, while Queens finds itself watching the Mets fielding questions about the availability of Jose Reyes in a trade. Word of the Mets' willingness to deal Reyes has been floating around for some time now, including a report out of San Francisco that had them asking for a "boatload" in return, and now the team is addressing the rumors.

Andy Martino of the New York Daily News reports that while it remains likely that Reyes will be a Met when the 2011 season gets underway, they aren't closing the door on the possibility of dealing him. That's nothing strange since teams will listen to just about any offer before hanging up the phone, but it does seem like there's something to the staying power of these Reyes discussions.

The biggest reason to believe a trade is possible is the arrival of Sandy Alderson as the team's general manager. Alderson is looking long-range in his moves for the Mets and dealing Reyes, who is just 27 and has a lifetime OPS+ of 101, would be a way of adding to the overall talent in the organization. Reyes is set to make $11 million this season, not unreasonable for a player of his ability, and a shortstop-needy team could throw together a tempting package.

Reyes' recent health issues complicate matters a bit, however. He missed almost the entire 2009 season with a knee injury and he fought off myriad other aches and pains during the 2010 season. Those injuries give the Mets cover should they decide to make a move, but it also makes for a compelling reason to keep him in Flushing.

The Mets don't figure to contend for much next year, but their chances would certainly increase with a strong, healthy year from Reyes. Even if they don't make it into a pennant race, Reyes' trade value would be much higher come July under those circumstances. That's the best-case scenario for the Mets and one that's probably the wisest course of action at this point in time.