Why Jose Reyes Should Hit Third for the Mets

I read and enjoyed Joel Sherman's article on the best way to use Luis Castillo. Sherman continues to be the best, most innovative and thought-provoking baseball writer in New York.

However, I have to respectfully disagree with him. Not with how Castillo should be used, because he should be a table-setter, and not because Sherman believes with Castillo hitting in front of him, Jose Reyes could be a huge RBI man. Because I also believe that Reyes, with his 190+ hits over the last four seasons—including a career high 204 last season—can be a huge run producer. While his on-base percentage has improved over the last couple of years, it is still a sub-par .336 for his career, which isn't great for a leadoff hitter.

Reyes has jumped his power production to include 16, 12 and 19 homers over the last three seasons and 30, 36 and 37 doubles over the same time. Except for Curtis Granderson, we know Reyes can bang out triples better than anyone in baseball, too, as he has slugged and sped his way to 65 over the last four seasons—with 19 coming in 2008. His slugging percentage last year of .475 was best of his career and he continues to be a free swinger, often swinging at pitches out of the strike zone.

Reyes is becoming less a leadoff hitter and more of a middle-of-the-order lineup threat. After back-to-back disappointing years, the 2009 season is so important for the Mets franchise. That is why Jose Reyes needs to be the No. 3 hitter for the Mets this season.

There are many other factors which lead Reyes to be the No. 3 hitter:

1) Carlos Delgado will not be a New York Met beyond 2009

Who is going to hit in the middle of the Mets' lineup the next couple of seasons? The Mets might go after Matt Holliday for next season to play left field and then move Daniel Murphy to first base. They better make sure they can outbid the Red Sox, who have been drooling over acquiring Holliday for two seasons. If the economy improves by next off-season, there could be other teams bidding for Holliday, too, like the Dodgers, Angels and the usual suspects.

A more likely (and cost-effective) scenario is that Fernando Martinez stays healthy, becomes the force he is supposed to become, and then takes over left field full time next year—with Murphy once again taking over at first base. But, F-Mart is not a middle of the order hitter—yet.

That leaves Reyes for the No. 3 spot next year, protected by the patient David Wright at cleanup. So, why not get Reyes acclimated to the middle of the lineup a year earlier?

2) Luis Castillo appears to be the Castillo of old

Castillo has lost weight (reports have him at dropping 17 pounds), has improved his leg strength and while in the leadoff spot this spring, has taken pitches, put the ball in play and gotten on base. He shows no effects from last season's leg injuries, and his promise to Omar Minaya to work hard in the off-season and come into camp in great shape can't go unnoticed.

His career OBP of .367 is much superior to Reyes' .336. Even though Castillo had a terrible season in 2008, his OBP of .355 compares favorably to Reyes' .358 of a year ago.

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