New York Mets: If Jose Reyes Walks, the Mets Must Sign Jimmy Rollins

It is becoming almost a certainty that Jose Reyes will be leaving New York this off season. With his departure looming, the Mets will not just be losing a great talent but also one of the key faces of its franchise.

Reyes leaving signals to fans that the team may start looking to rebuild. However, the Mets have always been known to spend lots of money. They are not afraid to open up the check book and bring in big free agent names, for better or worse.

If the team is going to compete in one of the toughest divisions in baseball, they need to find someone to replace the productivity of Reyes. The answer to that is signing Jimmy Rollins.

The following 5 reasons are why the Mets must sign Jimmy Rollins.

5. Rollins Is a Cheaper Option

Jimmy Rollins will be a much cheaper option than Jose Reyes. Reyes is trying to command around $20 million per year and there are several teams such as the Marlins, Nationals, and Giants who are very interested. While, Reyes most likely will not get $20 million per year he still will get close to that amount.

Rollins would be an extremely cheaper option for the Mets as he will likely command close to $10 million per year. Signing Rollins would also allow the Mets to have more money to fill some of their other holes and we all know the team has a lot.

4. Rollins Is a Leader

The New York Mets have become a team searching for its identity. They need someone to step up and take a leadership role inside the clubhouse.

Jimmy Rollins would be that guy. Even if it’s coming into a new situation, Rollins would still bring his veteran and leadership qualities to the Mets. He has always been a fan favorite and great clubhouse guy. The Mets would be lucky to have someone like him.

3. Rollins Provides Power at the Position

Yes, Jimmy Rollins is approaching 33 years of age, but his power is still made apparent by the 16 home runs he hit this past season. Rollins would provide the Mets with nice power that the team has not had at shortstop for a long time. He has hit over 20 home runs three times in his career, something that Reyes has never been able to accomplish. Not only will he drive in a lot more runs which the team has heavily lacked in recent years, his career on-base percentage is also just a notch below Reyes.

2. Proven World Series Experience

The current Mets roster has had very little to none postseason experience. If the team is trying to compete and achieve the ultimate goal of winning the World Series then they need a guy with experience.

Jimmy Rollins has been in the postseason 5 times, including a World Series championship in 2008. He is already a proven World Series winner and knows exactly what it takes to get back on the biggest stage in baseball.

1. Just as Good Defensively

As I mentioned earlier Jimmy Rollins is turning 33 years old, but that does not mean his fielding has declined either. There is no better defensive option to replace Jose Reyes than Rollins, and I may be hated on for saying this but I believe he is just as good if not better defensively than Reyes is. The guy has won three gold gloves compared to Reyes’ zero.

People say that Rollins has lost a step defensively, but he is still coming off a season in which his fielding percentage was .988 compared to Reyes’ .968.

If the Mets sign Jimmy Rollins they will not have to worry about balls being hit to shortstop.