How much longer will Jose Reyes be a member of the New York Mets? The star shortstop, about whom trade rumors have circulating, joined Mike Francesa on WFAN Thursday to discuss his future with the Mets.
Reyes as Mets fans well know, can be a free agent at the end of this season. Considering the financial ruins the Mets are in, owner Fred Wilpon’s statement that Reyes is not worth the $140 million or more he would be likely to get on the open market next offseason and the fact that any number of contending teams would love to have him, Reyes rumors will be rampant for the next few weeks.
It would seem the Mets almost have to trade the 28-year-old, who is having the best season of his career at this point (.348 batting average, 23 stolen bases and a .921 OPS).
Excerpts of Reyes conversation with Francesa are below. The full transcript is available via Sports Radio Interviews.
Have you ever played better than this or put together a better stretch of games?
"I don’t think so to be honest with you. The good thing right now for me is being healthy. I went to spring training 100 percent and able to play at spring training. I think that helped me out a lot. I know the last two seasons were difficult for me to stay healthy on the field. This year I was able to put it together."
Do you see yourself spending the rest of your career with the Mets?
"No I love it. Of course man. I said that before, but at the same time I don’t want to put anything on my mind. I just want to continue to play and people know that I want to stay here. At the same time I understand that this is a business and I don’t know what’s going to happen like I said the only thing I can control is to continue to play and continue to play good."
What are you saying to the fans that want you back?"You have to continue to support me. I’m still here with the New York Mets and I’m going to continue to give 100% for this team and you have to continue to support me. I appreciate that. Right now the only thing I can control is to continue to play baseball and continue to play good."
Only time will tell. Best guess, though, is that in the end the Mets and Reyes will have to get used to life without each other.