Come To Think of It: Should the NY Mets Trade Reyes? No Way Jose

New York Daily News writer John Harper claims in his latest piece, that it may be time for the New York Mets to consider trading shortstop Jose Reyes.

I say, "No Way, Jose"

Can Reyes be erratic with the glove at times? Sure. Does he make base running blunders from time to time? Yes he does.

But Reyes also has some skills you can't teach. He has enormous talent; he's still relatively young, and from an all-around perspective, is still one of the top shortstops in baseball.

He has game-changing ability.

Harper had this to say about Reyes:

"The myth the Mets have tried to sell everyone the last couple of years is that Jose Reyes is still young, that he'll stop making bonehead plays when he matures as a major leaguer. Only it's faulty logic any way you want to dissect it."

While it is true that Reyes is in his seventh season, since when is 26 considered old, even in baseball terms?

Look, it's one thing to take a player to task for making repeated mistakes or not hustling. It's quite another to suggest he be traded.

Yet that's exactly what Harper is suggesting.

"At some point, then, the Mets may have to seriously consider the question of whether Reyes' penchant for costly mistakes outweighs his game-changing ability. Depending how this season plays out, trading Reyes may be the best way to remake a ballclub that leads the world in exasperating its fan base."

It is very doubtful that Mets GM Omar Minaya would even consider trading Reyes. But if he did listen to offers, what kind of return could he get for the speedy shortstop?

Well, I'm sure that a front-end starting pitcher would be in order; perhaps a Felix Hernandez from the Mariners if they think they can't sign him long-term. Or, perhaps a  young slugger like the Marlin's Hanley Ramirez, if they decide they can't afford him.

Reyes is signed to a reasonable contract. He is making $5.75 million this year, then his salary jumps to $8 million in 2010. They also hold a 2011 option for $11 million (with a $0.5 million buyout).

So, sure, he would be very tradable if the Mets decided to shake things up after the season, particularly if they fail to make the playoffs again. But good young shortstops don't exactly grow on trees.

Harper suggests a major overhaul will be in order if the Mets fail to qualify for the postseason this year.

"(But) if they miss the playoffs again, on the heels of their two September collapses, major changes have to be made, and Reyes would be the most obvious place to start, in part because he would bring the most return value in a trade."

What do you think, Mets fans? Would you want to see Jose Reyes traded? Or, do you feel, as I do, that he is a piece they should continue to build around, come to think of it?