Jose Reyes Trade Rumors: 5 Reasons Milwaukee Brewers Should Trade for Mets' Star

Over the past few seasons, Brewers owner Mark Attanasio and GM Doug Melvin have made some of the most profound trade-deadline moves.  Acquiring CC Sabathia in 2008 may be the most prominent and well-known of these moves. 

This season, there will be no shortage of rumors and speculation surrounding the Brewers.  In fact, some rumors suggest Milwaukee could be in the works for acquiring Mets shortstop Jose Reyes.

Reyes, who is in the final year of his contract with the Mets, would be a superb rental addition to Milwaukee's lineup and could prove to be the deciding factor in the National League playoff picture.

If the recurring rumors and reports hold true, here are five reasons the Brewers should pull the trigger on Reyes prior to the July 31 trade deadline.

Follow Alec Dopp on twitter: @doppler9000.  Read his Brewers beat blog, Brewers Rumors.

Reyes' Base-Running Skills Fit Perfectly with Ron Roenicke's Aggressive Style

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PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 13: Milwaukee Brewers Manager Ron Roenicke #10 waits at home plate during their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 13, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

When the Brewers hired Ron Ronicke as their manager in early November of 2010, he voiced his opinion on how he planned to make Milwaukee an aggressive ball-club in the basepaths.

And who could blame him? Milwaukee finished 21st in all of baseball with just 81 combined stolen bases in 2010.  This season, the Brewers have improved on their mark from last, already accounting for 45 stolen bases.

Here's a question: How formidable will Milwaukee be with the addition of Reyes?

If I had to take a stab at it, I'd say they'd be rather intimidating for any pitching staff to handle.

Reyes Is an Immense Upgrade Offensively, Defensively from Yuniesky Betancourt

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ST. LOUIS, MO - MAY 8: Yuniesky Betancourt #3 of the Milwaukee Brewers attempts to throw to second base against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on May 8, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Although he's shown signs of improvement at times, newly acquired shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt has quickly become Milwaukee's biggest drawback offensively, and defensively.

To date, Betancourt boasts a .230 BA, three HR, 20 RBI and the worst OPS (.595) among all starting NL shortstops.

Clearly, there's a problem that must be resolved.

Acquiring Reyes to replace Betancourt would be the most sensible option for the Brewers.

Reyes' Offensive Abilities Make Milwaukee's Lineup NL's Most Lethal

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NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 04: Jose Reyes #7 of the New York Mets watches his three RBI triple in the bottom of the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on June 4, 2011 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Phot

Since his breakout season with the Mets back in 2005, Reyes has never held a batting average over .307—his rookie season.  In 2011, Reyes has arguably regained his reputation as the National League's best shortstop.

So far, Reyes holds true to the NL's second-best BA (.335), 20 SB, 19 2B, 86 H, and a .889 OPS—a superb recovery from his 2010 struggles in New York.

Granted, 2011 is Reyes' contract year with the Mets and will surely be one of the most sought-after free-agents in the market since the Brewers aren't likely to resign him to anything of great importance.  However, the impact a four-month rental player can have is truly stunning—just ask CC Sabathia.

Potential Postseason Starting Lineup:

1. Jose Reyes, SS

2. Rickie Weeks, 2B

3. Ryan Braun, LF

4. Prince Fielder, 1B

5. Corey Hart, RF

6. Casey McGehee, 3B

7. Jonathon Lucroy, C

8. Nyjer Morgan, CF

9. Zack Greinke, SP

Fans Will Become Re-Energized

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MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 04: A general view of Miller Park during the home opener for the Milwaukee Brewers against the Atlanta Braves on April 4, 2011 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Braves defeated the Brewers 2-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

This one is obvious.

With a talent and personality like that of Reyes, Miller Park will become a near sell-out for most of the summer and will become one of baseball's foremost home-field advantages once the playoffs roll around.

Reyes Makes Brewers Serious World Series Contenders

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MILWAUKEE, WI - JUNE 8: Prince Fielder #28 of the Milwaukee Brewers is congratulated by Corey Hart #1 after hitting a home run against the New York Mets at Miller Park on June 8, 2011 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

It's been a long time coming.  28 years, in fact.

The Milwaukee Brewers (over the past two decades) have become one of the most playoff-starved franchises in all of baseball, having won just one postseason game in the span of 29 seasons.

However, the lack of truly dominating teams in the National League gives the Brewers a great shot at returning to the promised land in 2011.

What it all boils down to is whether or not Milwaukee's management truly believes they have a shot at the World Series with Reyes in the lineup.

Inevitably, Reyes puts the Brewers over the top.