MLB Trade Rumors: 5 Reasons Jose Reyes Could Be On the Move Before July

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The New York Mets of 2011 could be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline.

They probably won’t have their ace, Johan Santana until the All-Star Break, so the question becomes whether Mike Pelfrey, Chris Young, Jon Niese and RA Dickey can keep the team afloat until then.

If they can’t keep the Mets in contention, there could be a firesale in New York with a ton of pieces that would help clubs in the playoff hunt. Among them is shortstop Jose Reyes, who is owed $11 million in the last year of a four-year, $23 million deal.

But why would the Mets move their superstar leadoff man? 

Reason #5- Unload Salary

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The first thing that would make Reyes a possible trade piece is the money owed to everyone else.

Santana is set to make almost $80 million through 2014.

33-year-old Carlos Beltran is owed $20 million this season before becoming a free agent at the end of a disastrous seven-year, $119 million deal.

32-year-old Jason Bay will get $18 million per season through 2013.

Train wreck starter Oliver Perez has $12 million more coming to him before free agency at the end of this season.

All of those would be tough sells to any team. There might be some interest in Bay, if he can rediscover his power stroke, but there’s a ton of money on those deals that would be difficult to pass off. 

Reason #4- Upside For Sign and Trade

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The next reason Reyes might draw some interest is, despite his price for this season, his upside is huge, and if he proves he is healthy early on, he is capable of hitting .300 with 15 HR and 60 steals.

He plays good defense and can be had cheaper than most with his talent because of his injury history.

The most likely scenario would be a team agreeing to an extension with Reyes in advance of a deal being finalized. He might settle for something in the three-to-four year range for $50 million. 

Reason #3- Mets Selling Year

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Another reason to believe Reyes might be out of New York is that 2011 is the Mets' selling year.

It seems they can’t decide whether they are rebuilding or trying to contend, so they just switch off. Paul Lo Duca was gone after 2007. They brought in Santana in 2008. Carlos Delgado and Gary Sheffield were gone in 2009. They added Jason Bay in 2010. So it's time to sell.

And it's understandable considering the Phillies have the best rotation in baseball, and the Braves have enough pro-ready prospects to challenge the Phils for divisional supremacy well after Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Ryan Howard (all over 30) are gone. 

Reason #2- Injury Risk

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Jose Reyes can’t steal bases if he’s on the disabled list. He can’t score runs or throw out a runner from his knees if he is hurt.

The Mets have spent the duration of his last contract watching him go in and out, and they aren’t too eager to sign on for another three or four years of it. If they can get the right package in return, it might be time to let someone else take the risk. 

Reason #1- Heir Apparent

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Wilmer Flores. The Mets' top prospect in their minor league system just happens to be a shortstop.

He is only 19, and has shown the ability to play multiple positions. Flores is at least one year, and probably two years away from the big leagues, but the Mets can deal Reyes with the knowledge they have an up and coming star to fill his spot.

Flores’ presence also would factor into how much the Mets are willing to give Reyes an extension. They could let him walk at the end of the season, bring in a veteran to keep the spot warm and then install Flores when he is ready.