Mets sign Jose Reyes

One week after officially beginning the process of cutting ties with Jose Reyes, the Rockies have placed their high priced shortstop on release waivers. Reyes, a four time All Star, former batting champion, and the Mets’ franchise leader in stolen bases, shouldn’t be expected to produce like he did in his younger days, but the Mets are hoping he can turn back the clock and provide a spark.

The Mets and free-agent SS Jose Reyes have agreed to a minor-league contract and he will be assigned to the Brooklyn Cyclones, the team announced Saturday. Reyes was charged with physically assaulting his wife in a Hawaii hotel room last October. Prosecutors dropped the charge ahead of a scheduled April 4 trial, saying Reyes’ wife was not cooperating.

Reyes was cut by Colorado after serving a 59-day suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy.

Reyes is owed approximately $39 million in salary from the six-year, $106 million deal he signed prior to the 2012 season.

At the same time, as Kristie Ackert wrote in the Daily News this week, everyone deserves a second chance, “and it seems like the Mets would be the best fit for Reyes to have a successful second go at it”. After making stops in Miami, Toronto, and Colorado in the time since, it appears Reyes may come full circle. He did play in nine minor league games and will need another minor league tune-up before the Mets can think about bringing him up to the parent club.

Thankfully, Mets players, coaches, and fans won’t have to wait long to know what will happen with Reyes and the team. He was a good hitter, he could fly, he’s got a great arm, he played very good shortstop.

Whether the Mets will reunite with Jose Reyes remains a big “if”, but the “if” grows smaller by the hour, so the team has held numerous discussions on how they would use the 33-year-old veteran.

The Rockies remain responsible for more than $40 million remaining on Reyes’ contract. Manager Terry Collins has actually began discussing different ways to deploy Reyes in the lineup. Despite significant injuries to infielders David Wright (neck) and Lucas Duda (back), the Mets could certainly have found a path forward without Reyes. “He brought a lot to the party”, Collins said.

General manager Sandy Alderson said earlier this week that character does play a role when the Mets are evaluating free agents.