New York Mets May Move Jose Reyes from Leadoff to Third in Their Batting Order

Winter is finally over, the cold sting Mets fans have held in their hearts since last September, the feeling of loss they’ve suffered two consecutive years, is over. Replacing it is a renewed sense of hope and wonder as they survey their teams’ chances this coming year.

Spring Training has begun!

And for the New York Mets that means baseball in Port St. Lucie. All of their fans have been impressed by the loosey goosey attitude and bold moves the Mets’ manager, Jerry Manuel, has displayed. However, one of those proposed moves hasn’t brought delight, but rather shock.

What they’re shocked by, is Jerry Manuel’s suggestion of possibly moving New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes, one of the most feared leadoff hitters in baseball, into the 3rd spot in the Mets lineup.

You can almost hear the fans thinking. “What’s Jerry thinking?” “Is he Nuts?”

Jerry’s response? He says, “We didn’t win the last two years, did we?”

I know, I know. I can hear what many are saying to this. “Whoa!”

However, I believe this may just be what the Mets need to fully shake off that cold sting from the past two Septembers.

Let’s take a better look at Jose in the 3-hole. It has been reported that Hanley Ramirez will be batting 3rd in the Florida Marlins lineup this year.

I would have to say this is a good move for the Marlins. It will allow them to get the most out of Hanley’s amazing power. I’d also say this is exactly what Jerry’s thinking when it comes to Jose.

As a leadoff hitter, pitchers have been trying for the last four years to keep Jose off the base-paths. Over those four years he’s learned to become a more disciplined batter; which his walks increasing each year besides the last would testify to.

Also, pitchers know full well that Jose is a dead fastball hitter, and even guys throwing heat in the high 90's know that Jose can catch up with them. Therefore, he sees a lot of off-speed pitches, including some pretty good change-ups, that can lock his knees in place at times.

About 80 percent of the time he gets on though, because of his base-stealing ability, it's like he hit a double.
One problem Jose faces batting leadoff, is that it takes a significant toll on his body. Attempting to steal bases 70-90 times throughout the regular season is simply going to wear a player out, no matter if he’s in good shape or not.

Everything a player does on the base-paths takes its toll, and we can see this time and again with players throughout the majors late in the year, and more specifically, in the lack of production from Jose during the past two Septembers.

However, I believe that placing Jose in the 3-hole will enhance his production. This will, of course, require Luis Castillo to play well for the Mets—He is definitely the key. We’ll need decent numbers from Luis if this is to work.

Also, with Carlos Beltran batting second in the Mets lineup, which is where he should have been all along, and having Carlos Delgado and David Wright hitting behind Jose, he'll be sitting pretty.

Because of Delgado and Wright behind him, he'll see mostly fastballs, and this wont' be good for opposing pitchers. He will be able to be a more disciplined free swinger (Yes, there is such a thing), and it will lower his steal attempts to about 40 at most. This will ensure there’ll be plenty left in Jose’s tank come September.

His numbers should look something like this at the end of the year. He should be batting .310, with around 105 runs, 190 hits, 40 doubles, 20 triples, 30 home runs, and 101 RBI. He should also have snatched about 30 bases, and should be in the midst of any talk of league MVP.

Jose leading off last year certainly was the primary reason the Mets scored more first-inning runs than anyone in the majors that year, but what did this get them?

They finished the year 89-73, and out of the playoffs. They were close though, only 3 games behind the eventual World Series Champion (man it hurts to write this) Philadelphia Phillies.

I think Jerry Manuel is hoping for a far different ending for the Mets this year. I think he’s looking to do whatever he feels he can that will allow the Mets to have a viable shot at finally winning a title. A title New York Mets fans have been waiting for since 1986.

His moving Jose Reyes to the 3-hole may just be the move necessary, along with the acquisitions the Mets have made during the offseason, to see those title dreams come true.

In my opinion, Jerry’s move is the right move—100 percent.