NEW YORK -- In a reversal of their previous stance, the Mets are at least considering a reunion with longtime shortstop Jose Reyes, whom the Rockies designated for assignment last week. The Mets, who continue to look for an offensive spark as they battle injuries, believe Reyes could fill a super-sub role, with significant at-bats coming at third base, according to a person with knowledge of their thinking.
As of Monday night, the Mets were still assessing their options regarding Reyes, who is technically a Rockies employee, although he hasn't played this season.
Reyes was arrested in Maui on Oct. 31, 2015, for an alleged domestic-abuse incident in a hotel where he and his wife, Katherine, were staying. Police dropped the charges because Katherine Reyes did not cooperate with the investigation, but Major League Baseball subsequently issued a suspension. Once the suspension and Reyes' Minor League rehab assignment ended, the Rockies designated him for assignment.
Colorado has already stated its intent to part ways with Reyes, who should become a free agent by this weekend. Once that happens, any team will be able to sign him for a prorated portion of the Major League minimum, with the Rockies responsible for the rest of the roughly $40 million remaining on his contract.
When the Rockies originally designated Reyes, Mets officials were adamant that the team harbored no interest in him. But after another week of offensive struggles -- including a three-game sweep at the hands of the last-place Braves, during which they scored four total runs -- the team's decision-makers are now at least considering a reunion.
Reyes, 33, became one of the most popular Mets in franchise history during his stay in Flushing (2003-11), but general manager Sandy Alderson did not pursue him in free agency after the 2011 season. Reyes subsequently inked a six-year, $106 million deal with the Marlins, who traded him to the Blue Jays after one season. Toronto then spun him to Colorado in a blockbuster deal for Troy Tulowitzki last summer.
Though Reyes was a career .292 with 81 homers, 99 triples and 370 stolen bases over nine seasons in New York, he has a .709 OPS since the start of the 2014 season.
At first glance, he would not seem to fit into the plans of the Mets, whose myriad problems do not include shortstop. But rather than have Reyes supplant Asdrubal Cabrera, a source said, the team is considering using him in a super-sub role. That would include a heavy dose of innings at third base, where Reyes has not played professionally since he was a teenager coming through the Mets' system. Reyes could also spell Cabrera at shortstop and Neil Walker at second.
But the Mets do have other options, keeping a Reyes reunion somewhat unlikely. Cuban free agent Yulieski Gourriel remains intriguing, despite uncertainty regarding how quickly he would be ready for the Majors. And the Mets could always turn internally to Dilson Herrera, though that move would force them to move Walker to third base full-time.
The Mets are without their starting third baseman David Wright, likely for the rest of the season, as he recovers from neck surgery.