Reyes sees ‘way better’ 2017
Spark plug late last season to benefit from full spring.
PORT ST. LUCIE — Jose Reyes felt like he was thrown into the fire last season, scramb l i n g f r o m t h e s t a r t t o make something of a second chance with the team that had given him his first.
He had missed spring training, fallout from hi s suspension for his arrest on a domestic violence charge. Shortly after his return, the Rockies cut him loose, opening the door for a reunion with the Mets.
By season’s end, Reyes proved to be a catalyst, his play and his presence helping to fill a void on a roster depleted by injuries. The Mets surged to the playoffs. Now, emboldened by his first big league camp since 2015, Reyes i s promising even more.
“It’s going to be way better, I guarantee you that,” Reyes said Wednesday. “Way better than last year. Now, I’ve had my work in since Day 1. I’m here in a baseball atmosphere.”
The Mets need Reyes, just as they did last year, to start at third base. David Wright returned to camp Thursday after getting a second opinion on an impingement in his shoulder, fallout from inactivit y following neck surgery last June. He said doctors told him he needs more time to do rehab and continue to strengthen the shoulder.
But even if the Mets captain bounces back with no more issues with his neck or back, he likely won’t be ready for opening day. And given the chronic condition in his back, Wright’s status moving forward remains a question.
With that uncer t aint y, Reyes’ importance to the Mets has only grown. When the Mets re-signed him last June, the new deal included a league-minimum option for this season. After Reyes hit .267 with eight homers — and gave the Mets a true leadoff presence that they had been missing — picking up his option became a slam dunk.
Reyes posted a .769 OPS with the Mets, all while transitioning from shortstop to third base. Though he played only 60 games, it was his highest season total since 2013. The 33-year-old insists he’s capable of even more.
“Last year, I was thrown into the fire right in the middle of the season when everybody was ready, basically,” Reyes said. “And I felt like I did a very good job.”
Indeed, Reyes spent spring training at home on Long Island. He kept himself in shape, though he had to work through limitations.
“Last year, I was working out with my friends and they don’t even play baseball, you know? It’s different,” Reyes said. “I was playing catch with one of my friends and he doesn’t even play baseball. This is different. As a baseball player, you want to be in spring training. You want to be around players. I’m ready, I’m ready to go.”
Reyes will play shortstop for the Dominican Republic during the World Baseball Classic but will focus on third base at spring training. He will take fly balls in center to improve his versatility.
But whatever the challenge, Reyes said he’s game, especially considering where he stood last year.
“At one point, sitting at my house when Colorado basically let me go, I thought for one moment ‘maybe this is it for me.’ That went through my head,” he said. “And when the Mets called, my energy level went up.”
Dan Straily gave up a tape-measure home run to Yoenis Cespedes in Thursday’s 11-6 loss to the Mets. The ball sailed over the batter’s eye in center. Straily was able to smile about it afterward. The reason? He fed Cespedes four consecutive fastballs, something he wouldn’t think of doing in a real game.
“Come on, I played with the guy too long to know what he does,” said Straily, who was Cespedes’ teammate in Oakland. “I played with these guys way too long to know what happens when you throw Cespedes four straight fastballs.”
Straily, who was acquired in an offseason trade from Cincinnati, gave up four runs on five hits in 1⅔ innings and saw his spring ERA grow to 13.50.
First baseman Tomas Telis was 2 for 2 with two RBIs and a run scored to lead the Marlins’ attack. Christian Yelich and Ramon Cabrera also had two hits apiece.