The Star Ledger, ESPN, and other sources have printed new stories regarding Jose Reyes’ condition.
The summary seems to be that Jose must not only avoid athletic activity and basically anything resembling strenuous exercise, but indeed must not raise his heart rate, until his elevated thyroid level returns to a more normal area. The cause, unknown at this time, has been speculated as possibly being a virus or Jose’s diet.
According to ESPN, after exercising Monday and Tuesday, his levels were elevated to unhealthy numbers again.
Hence, Jose must avoid exercise until his thyroid levels stabilize. Unfortunately, no one really seems to know when this will be. The thyroid will return to normal with rest and dietary changes, but again, it is uncertain how long this will take to stabilize and become hopefully permanent for Jose. His doctor insists that this will not have any adverse effect on Jose’s baseball ability long-term, but for 2010, we simply cannot know right now if it will be a few weeks or a few months until the situation allows Jose to become an everyday player again.
The estimates still range from 2-8 weeks; Jerry and Omar, according to the Star Ledger, seem to think that this might actually be 1-7 weeks as Jose stopped baseball activities last week. However, as exercise early this week seems to have raised his thyroid levels to unhealthy areas again, perhaps this exercise would make the last week irrelevant to his recovery timetable.
All media outlets seem to agree that Jose simply must avoid exertion until the levels come down and remain down, which of course means that we really do not have any idea how long he will be out.
Jose’s agent Peter Greenberg, perhaps the only person thinking long-term and about Jose as a person, said he views this as “good news†as this is a “completely curable, treatable situation.â€
Regarding the somewhat differing evaluations of the situation which have come from various Met sources lately, Greenberg also commented on the initial optimism Jose showed, as well as on his attempts to work out Monday and Tuesday: “I think all the results weren’t in yet,” Greenberg said. “So guilty of speaking a little bit too soon, unfortunately.”
So the confusion may in fact not necessarily be people lying, or being guilty of incompetence or the inability to communicate, but perhaps might just be human beings naturally responding to never-ending media pressure demanding comment without having all of the information.
As Jose apparently worked very hard all winter, and has always been in fantastic shape as long as we have known him, he should not need much time to get ready to play once the doctors clear him.
However, the latest news seems to indicate that Jose is most definitely in a holding pattern, which will last at the very least 1-2 weeks, and very possibly 7-8 weeks or longer.
One might wonder whether a return to playing will immediately cause Jose’s levels to rise again; the hope is that once the situation is stabilized, this will not occur.
No one knows right now, so here’s a voice respectfully suggesting that hoping and praying for Jose’s return to good health is job one for the Met fan; his return to baseball will follow that happening rather quickly.
Here’s also hoping that the media circus will find another Met story to milk and that Jose will be left in peace to recover.
Get well soon Jose; you have been a great Met and hopefully you will be able to continue to be that by sometime in April.
103 comments
fongy2
3/11/2010-7:15pm at 7:15 pm (UTC -4)
Good job Brock and I second your final thoughts!
Kingman 26
3/11/2010-7:27pm at 7:27 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks Fong….amidst the sea of complaining and everyone again readying the plank for Omar and Jerry (over a situation they have precisely zero control over) I think a lot of fans forget that these guys are people.
I have been following Jose for a decade, as I am sure you have since Kingsport (Darryl’s first stop too–20 years earlier–are we old or what!) and despite his detractors, the guy has been a great Met, and is, incredibly, still months short of his 27th birthday!
His best years are most likely ahead of him.
Thanks again buddy—some folks on here have really angered me lately, and your positive comment is truly appreciated, respected, and most valued.
Even if I like Omar a tiny bit more than you…
ceetar
3/11/2010-7:42pm at 7:42 pm (UTC -4)
So many people commenting/talking/broadcasting without all the facts. In fact, most of us don’t have all the facts. About anything.
I actually kinda like Omar.
Kingman 26
3/11/2010-7:47pm at 7:47 pm (UTC -4)
+ A frigin million.
ceetar
3/11/2010-7:20pm at 7:20 pm (UTC -4)
my tweet: “Jose Reyes isn’t allowed to raise his heart rate. That means he can’t even watch the Mets play without him.”
I’m gonna break out my algebra again, because this is how it makes most sense to me.
Physical exercise, P, increases thyroid production. by a certain amount, X. This certain amount is multiplied when there is extra iodine/virus in the system, I. So P . X is normal levels, and what we’re hoping for, but while it’s still P . IX, we’re getting elevated levels. We need that value of I to decrease, which can only happen over time, so that it’s back to P . X. No one knows how long his body will take to purge himself of the virus/seafood. Once it’s out of his system, normal activity will not elevate these levels to bad heights.
Now, this is what I want to know: Give me all the dates of the scheduled tests. I want to know exactly when Reyes is getting tested, when we can expect the results, and when he’d be back in Florida if it was clear.
metsfan4decades
3/11/2010-8:08pm at 8:08 pm (UTC -4)
Ceetar my friend, you’re making my head hurt with all this math today – LOL….
ceetar
3/11/2010-8:18pm at 8:18 pm (UTC -4)
I’m a nerd, I can’t help it. I do math and calculate my rate of speed constantly while on the treadmill. Sometimes I convert numbers between binary, octal, decimal and hexadecimal to stay awake on long drives.
metsfan4decades
3/11/2010-9:11pm at 9:11 pm (UTC -4)
I knew you were a smart guy.
Math is not now and never was my forte. I’m the type that hates numbers (unless they’re the numerous kind in my checkbook) – probably why I only skim the surface of sabermetrics.
gategem
3/12/2010-1:17am at 1:17 am (UTC -4)
Jose’s situation can only be explained via String Theory.
prismo
3/12/2010-1:20am at 1:20 am (UTC -4)
More like Murphy’s Law…
gategem
3/12/2010-1:58am at 1:58 am (UTC -4)
Isn’t he the Mets’ first baseman?
gategem
3/12/2010-1:57am at 1:57 am (UTC -4)
You think of different number bases and how to convert among them? You need tutelage from an old sage.
gonzowill
3/11/2010-7:31pm at 7:31 pm (UTC -4)
So once his levels go to normal, who says they can’t “rise” again. There must be something else here, NOT HGH, but perhaps diet or vitamins that affect it. why can’t this be treated? I really don’t get how rest will prevent this from happening again
Kingman 26
3/11/2010-7:34pm at 7:34 pm (UTC -4)
The consensus seems to be that once the levels stabilize over a week or weeks, assuming that Jose has stayed resting and changed his diet and that any virus is gone, that his system will have returned to normal.
Hence, then, exercise should not cause the thyroid to reach unhealthy levels.
But again, at this point the timetable seems to be totally guesswork.
And of course, the above assumes we have all of the facts and that there is not an issue with PEDs or some other more serious health issue.
ceetar
3/11/2010-7:41pm at 7:41 pm (UTC -4)
You know, if I’m Reyes, I don’t know if i consent to more bloodwork once the levels go back down. I know it’s “his health” but chances are once it’s back down to normal levels he’s not going to do any damage to it over 7 months.
gonzowill
3/11/2010-7:37pm at 7:37 pm (UTC -4)
You said a virus, do you think there is something in his system? Geez, when does it end? This is a real shot in the stomach.
Kingman 26
3/11/2010-7:41pm at 7:41 pm (UTC -4)
I am not sure; just posting what I read elsewhere as possible causes for this situation.
I agree this is about the harshest blow we could have taken.
When does it end? I thought opening day, but now apparently not.
gonzowill
3/11/2010-7:42pm at 7:42 pm (UTC -4)
2009 just won’t let us go. Who bats third now?
ceetar
3/11/2010-7:44pm at 7:44 pm (UTC -4)
Adam Rubin.
prismo
3/11/2010-7:59pm at 7:59 pm (UTC -4)
LOL nice
Hazmet
3/11/2010-7:47pm at 7:47 pm (UTC -4)
Great read. I’ve really struggled like most of us getting my head around this. Just to get something out of my system to write something on Jose I post here the brief story of my Jose Reyes jersey.
Back when Jose was working his way through the minor’s I kept telling my extended family at those summer gathering’s to wait till you see this Reyes kid working through the system. These were the day’s post 2000 pre Jose, dark days for those times. Then Jose came up struggled a bit for a few games and all I heard was “what are you kidding me” from the family. Then the break out game in Texas, followed by LA I believe. I let them have it, and they saw it and couldn’t say anything because the talent was obvious. Then came the injuries, then came the jersey. The ever sarcastic family members bought me a Reyes jersey mockingly because he was always injured. Well as Jose ascended I took great pleasure in wearing it to many a summer gathering to shove it back in their faces. Last year I continued to wear it in support in good times or bad since he’s a homegrown Met, a part of the Met family. I look forward to breaking it out again this summer when he’s back and thriving and being Jose. Either way I’ll be wearing it, as worn out as it is getting, in support of our SS. He’s one of our own, rest up, follow doctor’s orders and we’ll see you soon JR.
Kingman 26
3/11/2010-7:53pm at 7:53 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks again for being here Haz, and I sincerely appreciate the response….as for your story, now THAT was a great read.
Thanks again.
Hazmet
3/11/2010-8:02pm at 8:02 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks, back at ya. I have Met traitor fans in my extended family that bolted to root for that other NY team. Despecable. None of them reside under my roof…obviously
metsgirl31
3/11/2010-8:06pm at 8:06 pm (UTC -4)
Wow I can’t imagine how bad things would have to be in Met-land for me to jump ship to the Yankees. I daresay those folks will be sorry.
Hazmet
3/11/2010-8:11pm at 8:11 pm (UTC -4)
Exactly! Being a Met’s fan is…well, more than being a fan, it’s almost a lifestyle choice. And yes, they will pay, they wiiillll paaayyyy.
metsgirl31
3/11/2010-8:13pm at 8:13 pm (UTC -4)
Well for sure being a Mets fan builds character…A LOT of character. Some people just can’t hack it
metsfan4decades
3/11/2010-8:19pm at 8:19 pm (UTC -4)
hahahaha – we are nothing, if not resilient.
May the 2010 Mets be the same.
(and p.s. – glad to see ya back. Us ‘Met girls’ seem to be in the minority…..)
metsgirl31
3/11/2010-8:23pm at 8:23 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks! Gonna try to comment more now that the season is almost upon us. Here’s hoping this is MUCH better season!
trs86
3/11/2010-9:04pm at 9:04 pm (UTC -4)
Ah so nice to have the two first ladies of TRDM.
metsgirl31
3/11/2010-8:04pm at 8:04 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks for posting this. I was actually feeling quite a bit pessimistic about this season after the barrage of Jose news today and none of it seemed good. But after reading your words I feel a bit calmer. Was actually even wondering if I should renew my Extra Innings package on Directv but you’ve convinced me.
Can’t wait for Opening Day…no matter who takes the field for the Mets I will be watching.
Get well, Jose and Let’s Go Mets!
Kingman 26
3/11/2010-8:14pm at 8:14 pm (UTC -4)
You are very welcome, and thank YOU!
Renew that package; as long as they hustle, gotta follow them!
Plus, with Davis, FMart, Mejia, Thole and others marinating at AAA this year, we have the next great Met team brewing, even if it will not mature in 2010.
Not that I am giving up on 2010, no way in hell.
I am still even watching some Nets games, so I am clearly not sane, but I remain a fan who enjoys his team as long as they hustle. That is all I ask of the players.
gategem
3/12/2010-1:35am at 1:35 am (UTC -4)
Marinating you say. What are they, herrings?
Good article Kong.
metsfan4decades
3/11/2010-8:15pm at 8:15 pm (UTC -4)
Great post King. First and foremost – get well, Jose.
I posted this on one of the earlier threads:
I was diagnosed with an overactive thyroid and eventually Graves disease back in my early/mid 20s. Was put on meds. I wasn’t real confident in that diagnoses though b/c I had none of the classic symptoms – although my blood tests did show elevated thyroid with both the T3 and T4 tests.
Took the meds they prescribed for a couple of months. Had problems with side effects of those meds, specifically low blood pressure and sudden dips in blood pressure. Was making me crazy. And being in my early 20s and not all that smart, I just stopped taking the meds, without my doctors consent – well, I’ll admit it – not even his knowledge. My mindset was I had no no problem before I was taking the meds, didn’t care what the blood tests were showing, so I just stopped taking them.
Had the blood work tested a year later and thyroid was normal. And it’s been normal ever since – which has been years and years.
So in my case, either I was misdiagnosed or more likely – the thyroid levels went back down to normal with virtually no treatment at all.
May Jose have the same kind of luck with his condition…
Kingman 26
3/11/2010-8:20pm at 8:20 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks a lot MF4D and thanks for sharing this….I am most certainly glad you have not suffered from this for years and years, and I also feel that your experience has to be good news regarding what we can think about the future regarding Jose.
Hazmet
3/11/2010-8:27pm at 8:27 pm (UTC -4)
Just for the sake of changing things up a bit:
Given the Fan Confidence Rating at fwicg.com took forever to climb from 10% to 17% to 46%, after today’s news what will it plummet too?
My guess: 15%
metsfan4decades
3/11/2010-8:41pm at 8:41 pm (UTC -4)
Does he have a negative meter? – LOL…
Too early to throw in the towel – IMO.
Can’t really blame those who are voting low. Many have to be thinking when will it end?? I thought this was 2010, not 2009…..
It’s extremely discouraging news today. It’s no one’s fault, there is no one to blame. Some might be pissed off at the way news was given to the fans on Jose – everything from him being scratched from his second ST start for a simple blood test, to he’ll be back in a couple of days, to the latest might be a couple of months. And again, with the Mets track record, you would think with this latest issue they would have not speculated to the public and just waited until all test were in and evaluated before they said much of anything. But for whatever reason, that doesn’t seem to be their style.
And that confidence voting is going to reflect the frustration and the anger at all of this.
If I was voting, I’d vote 50%, dead in the middle. Because truthfully, I have absolutely no idea how this season, this team, the FO and this whole franchise is gonna play out this year.
But I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed and as usual will be watching every game, no matter what the standings. Sure would be a heck of a lot more fun though if we’re in it….
Hazmet
3/11/2010-8:52pm at 8:52 pm (UTC -4)
I’ll take 50%, I’d probably go 70-75% myself. So many fans forget how long the season is and overreact in ST. All seasons have there ebb & flow, that’s what make’s the game so great in that in someway’s it emulate’s life. Ups, downs, successes, failures, etc.. But it’s a long haul. I’ll compartmentalize April-May as survive Jose & Carlos being out, hang tough, then get it going. If they do better, then great. Certainly, ST is no time to pack it in. But I’m sure many will reflect that at MC’s Corner Grill.
trs86
3/11/2010-8:50pm at 8:50 pm (UTC -4)
Depends on what post MC makes before posting the meter.
Hazmet
3/11/2010-8:53pm at 8:53 pm (UTC -4)
Good answer, 2 thumbs up.
trs86
3/11/2010-8:49pm at 8:49 pm (UTC -4)
Kingman, stop whining about people whining. LOL.
I agree with your statement. Jose get well and then worry about baseball.
trs86
3/11/2010-8:53pm at 8:53 pm (UTC -4)
You would like this one:
http://rationalmetsmusings.blogspot.com/2010/03/one-more-thing-to-overcome.html
Kingman 26
3/11/2010-9:49pm at 9:49 pm (UTC -4)
I did like it, and thanks for posting it.
I recommend it.
saltygary
3/11/2010-8:54pm at 8:54 pm (UTC -4)
Don’t worry there is always another story waiting to take away some heat. The media will find it, just give them till Monday.
Mr North Jersey
3/11/2010-8:57pm at 8:57 pm (UTC -4)
Yep it’s like death and taxes inevitable.
Hazmet
3/11/2010-8:58pm at 8:58 pm (UTC -4)
You think it will take till Monday? I think Ollie pitches tomorrow, that should keep them busy, time to pound the rotation again.
metsfan4decades
3/11/2010-9:17pm at 9:17 pm (UTC -4)
lol – that’s just bad…..and yes, Ollie pitches tomorrow.
Hazmet
3/11/2010-9:39pm at 9:39 pm (UTC -4)
Ooohh, Takahashi pitches tomorrow also. After his last outing this could be interesting.
I can’t believe I’m still watching a replay of a Met’s Spring Training loss. What is the matter with me????
trs86
3/11/2010-9:41pm at 9:41 pm (UTC -4)
You’ve got the fever man.
Hazmet
3/11/2010-9:43pm at 9:43 pm (UTC -4)
And the only thing that will cure it is… more cowbell.
Sorry, any chance to fit in a C. Walken blurp I’ll take it.
Kingman 26
3/11/2010-9:46pm at 9:46 pm (UTC -4)
Hey, I watched the Nets in Dallas last night, and actually thought they might win till near the end.
I REALLY have a problem.
At least my alma mater, U of Vermont, is on ESPN2 Sat at noon with a win-and-they-are-again-in the NCAA tourney game.
ceetar
3/12/2010-8:47am at 8:47 am (UTC -4)
Jeter’s flu is actually black plague?
Mr North Jersey
3/11/2010-8:56pm at 8:56 pm (UTC -4)
Amen hopefully Reyes is back and doing what he does best creating havoc on the base paths. Best case scenario Reyes is back quicker than expected. The last thing we need is Reyes missing anymore time then expected.
Who knows maybe this opens an opportunity for someone to step up and surprise us with exceptional play.
I wonder how long Minaya will wait to decide to see if he puts Reyes on the dl?
He can always make it retroactive I guess plus if he placed him on say near the end of camp on the 60 day dl retroactive to last week I think he’d be due to come off the dl around April 26 at Home against the Dodgers and they could add someone to the 40 man roster without having to move Reyes off the 40 man roster I believe.
trs86
3/11/2010-9:01pm at 9:01 pm (UTC -4)
I am not sure how it works. Does the DL days start before the season?
I am not too concerned with the 40 man roster as there is still some dead weight there.
Mr North Jersey
3/11/2010-9:02pm at 9:02 pm (UTC -4)
true
Mr North Jersey
3/11/2010-9:40pm at 9:40 pm (UTC -4)
Good so now that that is out the way. Did the Mets finish their game today?
trs86
3/11/2010-9:42pm at 9:42 pm (UTC -4)
Yup, not much to report. Jacobs and Pridie HR’s, lost 8-2.
Mr North Jersey
3/11/2010-9:44pm at 9:44 pm (UTC -4)
8-2?
Mr North Jersey
3/11/2010-9:48pm at 9:48 pm (UTC -4)
Looking at Box score Igarishi gave up 2 runs darn I was hoping he’d have a 0.00 for entire Spring.
Mr North Jersey
3/11/2010-9:50pm at 9:50 pm (UTC -4)
Did Feliciano looked good?
Mr North Jersey
3/11/2010-9:51pm at 9:51 pm (UTC -4)
I know his line looks nice but sometimes that is deceiving.
Hazmet
3/11/2010-9:52pm at 9:52 pm (UTC -4)
Yes
Hazmet
3/11/2010-9:53pm at 9:53 pm (UTC -4)
As in looked good.
Mr North Jersey
3/11/2010-9:56pm at 9:56 pm (UTC -4)
We’ll take what we can get. Thx Haz.
Hazmet
3/11/2010-9:51pm at 9:51 pm (UTC -4)
The first double off him got stuck in the mud. Wierd. Was legit but wierd. The rest of the relievers were OK. Feliciano got work in.
trs86
3/11/2010-9:54pm at 9:54 pm (UTC -4)
Can’t all be like fig… I mean Misch.
Mr North Jersey
3/11/2010-9:55pm at 9:55 pm (UTC -4)
LOL Your coming around I can tell LoL
trs86
3/11/2010-10:08pm at 10:08 pm (UTC -4)
Lets just hope for both of our sakes and the Mets that someone steps up and takes the #5 spot by the horns and leaves no debate (besides figgy, lol)
Kingman 26
3/11/2010-10:15pm at 10:15 pm (UTC -4)
Mr North sir, please check your email.
gipperpdx
3/11/2010-10:28pm at 10:28 pm (UTC -4)
Shoot me. Now. In the face. With a 12-guage. #1 Buck preferred.
trs86
3/11/2010-10:35pm at 10:35 pm (UTC -4)
LOL, you reading ESPN again?
metsfan4decades
3/11/2010-11:45pm at 11:45 pm (UTC -4)
Normally, I try and avoid all things ESPN.
I did something even dumber tonight though. Went around the Phillies, Braves and Yankees blogs. Wanted to see if some of our rival fans even registered the Reyes story on their radar.
Well, the prize goes to the Philly fans. Some of them truly are ignorant, commenting on the ‘overrated’ and ‘fragile’ Reyes and actually applauding his illness. That’s a little like wishing cancer on your boss so you can get his job…
Hats off though to Corey Seidman on his piece over on Phillies Nation titled: ‘The New York Staph Infections’.
He factually reports the story (well, as near as anyone of us can get to the facts right about now) and adds:
‘It is imperative to note here that, while none of us like the Mets, this isn’t a strained hamstring or stinger we are discussing, it’s a relatively serious medical condition that should not be wished upon our worst enemies. We’re dignified in hoping for more Mets failures, but it is not justifiable to wish for anything but a full recovery for Reyes, a truly dynamic athlete who only adds fuel and excitement to the Phillies-Mets rivalry.’
At least some rivals realize that’s just what it is – a team rivalry, which should have nothing to do with actually wishing for death and destruction for any individual of the game.
With that being said, may a horde of locusts reign down upon the Philly Nation.
gipperpdx
3/12/2010-1:32am at 1:32 am (UTC -4)
It’s just the culmination of all the nonsense and freak stuff over the past few Iyears….U was just settling into beginning to think Mets baseball again. And, I was even starting to allow myself some fanatsy-based optimism. Then, bam, reality strikes back with yet another freak medical problem to yet another star handled poorly yet again by the front office.
*sigh*
I did get my first Citi Field tix (Tues 5/25 vs the Philthies)! So I should be happy! I have seen the boys on the road out here on the left coast so much, it will be nice to be home – though I suspect it will take a few visits to Citi for it to feel like home compared to Shea.
gipperpdx
3/12/2010-1:33am at 1:33 am (UTC -4)
“…over the past few Iyears….U was just settling”
Yikes, say what?
over the past few years…. I was just settling…”
stickguy
3/12/2010-7:19am at 7:19 am (UTC -4)
missed this all last night.
Only the Mets. Just bizarre.
Still seems like they should be able to treat with medication and try to have him play, but I guess I am not a doctor, so what do I know?
FOr sure, when I was rantin about spending th emoney on Lopez to have a “real” MI available in case of emergency, I wasn’t expecting this situation!
ANd right now, might as well start speculating as to whether the Mets pick up his 2011 option, after he misses the entire season (or at least the vast majority of it, until the Mets are officially out of the running). Because I am willing to bet that 8 weeks will come and go, and Jose will still be shut down. Meaning almost 2 full seasons of his prime flushed down the toilet.
stickguy
3/12/2010-7:23am at 7:23 am (UTC -4)
Unless they bring in someone new (unlikely, now that the FA market is cleaned out), they cannot make OCra the everyday SS. Just can’t happen.
THe sheer lack of range with C&C up the middle will give Pelfrey a complete nervous breakdown. Although maybe it will have a benefit, after he goes back to trying to be a strikeout pitcher like he was initially in the minors?
Anyway, COra isn’t qualified. So instead of a retread like CIntron, just let Tejada have the job. He seems to have the glove and range to handle that side, and will likely hit has well as any of the other stiffs available.
So if you are doing that, all you need to do is play Davis too, and boom! A rebuilding year!
trs86
3/12/2010-7:28am at 7:28 am (UTC -4)
Interesting that when I look at defensive metrics it shows that Cora has not been that bad of a SS. It sure did not look pretty. As for Tejada, rebuilding or not (which I think is just panicking way to early) he’s just not ready yet. Let him have time in AAA this season. We have options and I am sure we could get a guy from Pitt for a salary dump too. I think the biggest thing we all need to do is just relax.
stickguy
3/12/2010-7:25am at 7:25 am (UTC -4)
anyway, last ramble.
I put the over/under at 4.5 for the number of times Jose sits out for an extended period of time, them tries some exercise and has a blood test, only to find out the level went up and he has to be shut down again. And I will take the over.
Of course, somewhere in mid-august they will finally try something different that immediately works, so he can come back for the September push to catch the Nats.
trs86
3/12/2010-7:30am at 7:30 am (UTC -4)
Man, feeling a little negative today Stick. LOL. Go relax and have a beer and a percocet.
Lets not assume the worst yet.
metsfan4decades
3/12/2010-8:03am at 8:03 am (UTC -4)
Right now, I’m probably just assuming the worst but hoping for the best. Unfortunately with Jose right now, it just is what it is. No one to blame. Absolutely no way this could have been prevented.
Cora is no Reyes but I’m not as down on him as some are. I don’t think he was re-signed with ‘replacement’ in mind, more like ‘back-up’ for SS and 2nd to give them some days off.
Utility guy in Pittsburg (and I can’t remember his name but he’s 33) who looks like he won’t be making their roster looks interesting. I think they owe him 2Mil though…
trs86
3/12/2010-9:15am at 9:15 am (UTC -4)
Ramon Vazquez. They do indeed owe him 2 million but are close to releasing him.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/03/ramon-vazquez-could-be-traded-or-released.html
stickguy
3/12/2010-9:10am at 9:10 am (UTC -4)
A little early in the day for Percocet.
Like MF4D, until there is a valid reason not to, you need to assume the worst case. Although the Mets FO seems to believe you hope for the best, and don’t bother to really plan for anything else…
If this was clear cut, then you can make reasonable assumptions. Most times, a broken finger takes 8 weeks and you are playing (or whatever the time is).
But, when you get into a condition that they have to hope corrects itself with time, all bets are off. COuld be a week. COuld be 8. Cold be all season.
Problem is, there is really no way to guess at this point.
So, you have to have contingency plans. Even if that means having a 2nd starter, and worrying what to do with 2 of them in a few weeks if Reyes comes back early.
I don’t prefer to see Tejada, but it will really depend on the other options.
And I really don’t see the Mets trading for a well paid veteran at this point. And they seemed to have missed the boat on the valid FAs, although I honestly don’t know who is still out there. Omar Vizquel?
I really do not think Cora can be the every day SS for 2+ weeks.
I also don’t have much faith in Cora staying healthy if he plays all the time, and they have zero depth now behind C&C, both of whom probably should get some rest on a somewhat regular basis.
ceetar
3/12/2010-9:15am at 9:15 am (UTC -4)
I don’t think Castillo needs that much rest. He’s in good shape, is used to playing most of the time. He’s not Orlando Hudson that’s shown he’ll breakdown in September.
Cora’s issue wasn’t really an ‘injury prone’ thing last year, but I agree 2 weeks seems a fair limit to give him.
I think Tejada would create the least ill-will with the fans.
njstuckintx
3/12/2010-9:29am at 9:29 am (UTC -4)
I am getting tired of always reverting back to doomsday mentality. I mean that as a personal comment about myself. I hate that as soon as I read Reyes + thyroid I thought “well, there goes the neighborhood”.
I do not want to see Tejada up in the bigs yet. And at the same time, I don’t want to see Cora there either. The more and more I think of it, I’m starting to dislike the Cora signing. He’s serviceable on the occassional day off, but I always viewed him as a backup 2B that could do the SS stuff from time to time. I really wish we had spent that money on a more reliable SS option.
Maybe we can spin GMJ for a more serviceable SS? DO we just hope for the best and run with what we’ve got? I hate to start spending chips on a back SS when we should be focusing on SPs. Hopefully F-mart will make that decision easier for us and maybe even spin Pagan for something, as his value has to be higher than GMJ. I most definitely preferred the Reyes batting 3rd? debates over the should we be content with Cora at SS? debate. sigh… Optimism now! Optimism now!
stickguy
3/12/2010-9:49am at 9:49 am (UTC -4)
I didn’t mean to come across as “doomsday” More frustrated.
I agree though on Cora. That’s why I wanted Lopez.
I also don’t think they should spend chips on another SS, but can they get anything better than the options already on board in the FA market?
It just is so hard to plan when you really don’t know what you are planning for!
My real frustration was with the “what, me worry?” attitude of the FO, and to some extent, you have to plan for worst.
trs86
3/12/2010-9:59am at 9:59 am (UTC -4)
That being said as brought up by Wanny many times Lopez is a TERRIBLE SS, even worse statistically than Cora.
njstuckintx
3/12/2010-10:06am at 10:06 am (UTC -4)
I agree with wanting Lopez. He’d have been a nice addition. I know you can’t stock you bench with players that are everyday players, but at least give me someone who can cover the defensive part of the game, a la Raffy of the olden days. He couldn’t hit worth a lick, but his D was good. What about the SS that looks to be released by Pittsburgh? I don’t know much about him, but from the little I read he was decent back a few years.
And it wasn’t so much you coming across as doomsday. It’s the unfortunate Mets Mentaility TM, that seems to pervade our existance. Figure the worst to happen always, this way you aren’t disappointed, but if something wonderful does happen… Jackpot!. I don’t want my brain to work like that, even though it does. I still want a spot on the Positivality Float.
trs86
3/12/2010-9:58am at 9:58 am (UTC -4)
I think they needed another MI backup. Cora is fine as the 2B backup and if Reyes was healthy fine for backup SS. Perhaps they need to rethink that LH utility spot and it may have to go to a guy like Adams, Cintron or AHern. All we need from that SS position for now is someone to bat 8th and not hurt us.
njstuckintx
3/12/2010-10:06am at 10:06 am (UTC -4)
Amen. Raffy Santana!
ceetar
3/12/2010-8:52am at 8:52 am (UTC -4)
I just can’t start thinking like that. I know Joe “The Rational” Beningo feels you have to treat everything like doom and gloom, but I disagree.
I’m going to root for David Wright to get a hit when he comes up. It doesn’t matter that he (andeveryone else) fails most of the time. (unless you’re Derek Jeter obviously) He still could get that home run.
And Reyes? He could come back next week. The percentages are actually probably better than when Bay comes up and you’re willing him to get a home run.
njstuckintx
3/12/2010-8:57am at 8:57 am (UTC -4)
I know this is off topic and probably won’t be answered from the other fantasy baseball players on this site, but how bad do you think this hurt’s reyes fantasy value?
By the by, Jose, please get well. And sooner than later!
stickguy
3/12/2010-9:03am at 9:03 am (UTC -4)
he is falling many rounds in most leagues.
njstuckintx
3/12/2010-9:06am at 9:06 am (UTC -4)
Yeah… I can’t tell if I would even take a flyer on him in 5-6 rds. Talent at the SS position is extremely thin.
He’s become quite the very high risk, very high reward pick.
ceetar
3/12/2010-9:08am at 9:08 am (UTC -4)
Guess a lot depends on how much you trust doctors. If you believe the diagnosis and that he’ll recover with rest just fine, he’s probably going to put up close to a top three fantasy SS performance (depending on your stat alignment) even missing a month.
stickguy
3/12/2010-9:15am at 9:15 am (UTC -4)
the problem is, how much rest? It’s fine for an office desk jockey to be put on restricted duty for 3 months to wait it out, but it doesn’t work out so well for a pro athlete.
ceetar
3/12/2010-9:23am at 9:23 am (UTC -4)
I don’t know. I tend to tend 8 weeks is a way overestimate, because I think it’s about purging his body of a virus or seafood or whatever. I don’t think that takes 8 weeks. 2-3 maybe? depending on how much? Still crossing my fingers that his tests come back clean next week. :-/
ceetar
3/12/2010-9:03am at 9:03 am (UTC -4)
I’ve got him in one or two leagues. Be interesting to see if anyone even takes him except as a last handful of picks.
ceetar
3/12/2010-9:04am at 9:04 am (UTC -4)
He’s still a huge upside guy and he’s still gonna put up monster fantasy stats if it takes until May to return. Just depends when you want to take the gamble player.
njstuckintx
3/12/2010-9:08am at 9:08 am (UTC -4)
Agreed. With 4th best SS being Jeter and not a whole lot after that, the reward of snagging him could be wonderful. Could be… STOP EATING THE FISH JOSE!
DNDJohan aka kistics
3/12/2010-9:08am at 9:08 am (UTC -4)
One of my league drafted him at 6th round. I think he was projected to go something like 5-6th round. He’ll probably drop 1 or 2 rounds, but I don’t think much more than that.
stickguy
3/12/2010-9:17am at 9:17 am (UTC -4)
I was wondering when the Mets were going to explore a contract extension with Reyes. Before all this, the option seemed like a no brainer to pick up (and probably still does?), but who knows about anything more.
trs86
3/12/2010-9:25am at 9:25 am (UTC -4)
Would have to pick it up even if he does not play this year. Can’t let him walk for nothing.
DNDJohan aka kistics
3/12/2010-9:57am at 9:57 am (UTC -4)
I agree. Though I think he’s due $11M next year.
trs86
3/12/2010-9:59am at 9:59 am (UTC -4)
Yup but you just have to do it. Then if you want to trade him eating half that cash or offer arbitration or whatever. Can’t just let Jose Reyes go with nothing in return.