MLB Trade Speculation: Top 5 Teams Who Should Trade for Jose Reyes
Jose Reyes has arguably been the best player in baseball through the nearly first three months of the season, setting him up to earn his first NL MVP.
Of course, that's if he stays in the National League.
Reyes, 28, has an expiring contract at the end of the season, raising much speculation regarding the New York Mets possibly trading the All-Star shortstop by the July deadline.
Now tell me what team wouldn't want a potential MVP shortstop who gets it done from all facets of the game?
None.
Every team in baseball is going to try and trade for Reyes, disregarding the franchises who have nothing short of washed-up prospects to offer.
For the Mets and Reyes, the next month is going to be an interesting facade of he-said, she-said.
Wherever he goes, whether he stays with the Mets or gets traded to the already-rumored San Francisco Giants, Reyes will continue to make his mark in the 2011 MLB season.
Here are the Top Five teams that both should and need to trade for Reyes.
5. St. Louis Cardinals
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Albert Pujols and the returning Matt Holliday can't do it by themselves.
With a good starting rotation turned suspect due to a career-low season by Chris Carpenter and season-ending Tommy John surgery for Adam Wainwright, the St. Louis Cardinals are going to rely on their hitting more than ever to make a playoff run.
What better time to trade for Jose Reyes?
With a mediocre Ryan Theriot currently manning shortstop, St. Louis would have no problems working Reyes into the lineup if they were willing to part ways with top pitching-prospect Shelby Miller.
One of the biggest factors here is the expiring contract situation involving Pujols and his future with the team. Call him the Reyes of the Cardinals.
With that said, it makes a whole lot of sense for the Cardinals to trade for Reyes and make one more run at a World Series title during Pujols' tenure.
This could be a last-ditch effort for manager Tony LaRussa and his chances to win his third title.
4. Los Angeles Angels
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Could the Los Angeles Angels include Scott Kazmir in a Jose Reyes trade, sending him back to the New York Mets for his second chance?
Don't count on it, but an Angels-Reyes trade is not out of the question.
With what looks to be an experiment gone wrong following the signing of Vernon Wells, along with the season-long elusiveness of first baseman Kendry Morales, L.A. should be looking to boost their offense.
Harboring two of the most dominant pitchers thus far in the season and maybe the best one-two punch around, Jered Weaver and Dan Haren, the team's chances at making a playoff splash is more likely than not.
Adding Reyes—even though current option Erick Aybar has done a awesome job—would immediately put the Angels in contention with the Texas Rangers for an AL West divisional title.
The questions remains, would they have to trade Dan Haren in order to get their guy?
3. San Francisco Giants
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This was one of the first rumored pit stops for Jose Reyes as previously mentioned.
With all the drama and emotional strength lost from the Buster Posey injury, the San Francisco Giants need to make a move and do it quickly.
However, in order to trade for Reyes and attract interest from the New York Mets, the Giants would have to be willing to part ways with either Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez, Madison Bumgarner or a combination of any two.
Seems like a lofty price considering Reyes would more than likely enter free agency at the ed of the season.
But is it worth it?
I think it would be.
The defending champs have the best pitcher in baseball in Tim Lincecum, they've got some complimentary lineup help with Pablo Sandoval and Aubrey Huff, and they play in one of the least-competitive divisions in the MLB.
A Reyes-to-San Francisco move could peg the Giants as early National League champs.
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2. New York Yankees
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There's not much to discuss about Jose Reyes jumping leagues and staying put in the Big Apple.
Except for the fact that the New York Yankees have just lost their captain, Derek Jeter, for an undetermined period of time.
Not only was Jeter the Yanks leadoff guy, but his defensive presence and effort has continued to be unmatchable.
The Yankees no doubt have enough firepower in their farm system to make a serious offer to the Mets and why wouldn't they want Reyes leading off in front of Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez?
For one reason. What would they do with their captain when he makes his return?
When Jeter comes back from his DL stint, he'll once again warrant all of the attention in New York as he goes for 3,000 career hits.
But where does this legend die and another begin?
It's hard to say. There's already been speculation about the Yankees signing Reyes in the offseason, so why not get him now and do what you can to out duel the Boston Red Sox in the AL East?
We'll see. It's an outside shot, but one worth bringing up.
1. Milwaukee Brewers
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Believe it or not, the Milwaukee Brewers seem like the most reasonable team to acquire Jose Reyes.
They've done something of this kind before when they traded for C.C. Sabathia for half a season in 2008 and had him throw about 240 pitches per start.
So why not trade for Reyes and play him to the bone?
These is merely speculation, but with a resurgent Prince Fielder playing for the same contract that Reyes is seeking, the Brewers can finally give Ryan Braun enough protection to make a serious World Series run.
They acquired Zach Greinke in the offseason, Yovani Gallardo is pitching like an ace, and they have lucked out immensely with the efforts and stunning pitching from Shaun Marcum.
A trade for the potential NL MVP would put them over the top.
Already leading the NL Central, tied with the St. Louis Cardinals coming into Wednesday night, the Brewers would instantly lock themselves up for a division title, barring any injuries of course.
Ownership and management alike are going to have to look at this situation very carefully before unloading any of their talented players like Jonathan Lucroy, Corey Hart, Rickie Weeks and prospect Cody Scarpetta.
We'll have to wait and see.
Either way, Jose Reyes will continue to perform at an MVP level.
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