It’s been really bothering me that both Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes are playing real great during their contract years. I’ve been around baseball enough to know that this is a common occurrence however, in Beltran and Reyes’ case, I just don’t like that fact that both these players are completely different than last year.
And yes, I do understand that they were both injured or battling injuries.
Today’s question: Is both Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran playing harder for the contract OR is simply two healthy superstars?
12 comments
rustyjr
5/15/2011-9:38am at 9:38 am (UTC -4)
Hard to tell, but it wouldn’t surprise me since both men are at the end of their contracts and like all of us – would like to get paid more
metsfan4decades
5/15/2011-9:46am at 9:46 am (UTC -4)
No question in my mind it’s about being healthy and nothing but being healthy,
They’ve had similar great years that had nothing to do with a ‘walk’ year.
Just made up controversy, IMO.
rustyjr
5/15/2011-10:10am at 10:10 am (UTC -4)
I think money is a motivating factor though, Carlos has stated that he is far from finisghed and it is reported that Jose wants Carl Crawford money . I think we would have to be blind not to think that that was – maybe not forfront in their minds but a motivating factor
stickguy
5/15/2011-10:41am at 10:41 am (UTC -4)
I just don’t think that would make them play better. But, maybe play more?
Not reyes, he was always a consistent every day guy. But who knows, maybe there are days where Beltran is a little sore, and if he had a 3 year deal signed might tell JC to give him a rest, but instead goes out and sucks it up and plays? Not that we would ever know of course!
metsfan4decades
5/15/2011-11:19am at 11:19 am (UTC -4)
This I could see, especially with Beltran. He’s got a little more to prove – namely he can be out there every day – then Reyes does at this point.
But overall effort? Implying they’re giving it 100% in a walk year implies they didn’t try to give 100% in a non walk year. I just don’t see it with either of these two players.
stickguy
5/15/2011-10:39am at 10:39 am (UTC -4)
no, they are just healthy for this year. I am also pretty sure that some studies have been done to “prove” that the contract year is mostly a myth (that is, some guys have big years, plenty more have bad ones or get hurt).
Reyes is pretty much doing what he was before the injuries hit, especially when you factor in he is just hitting his prime year window. Same for Beltran. This is how he was playing in 1st half of 2009 (before the knee took him down), and even last september (when he was finally physically himself again).
About the only thing you could argue with Beltran is if he intentionally “blew off” last year to get healthy for this season. I don’t think that is the case, since it seems he had no choice but to have surgery, and also played 1/2 of last year poorly, which could not have possibly helped his “contract push”. If he was dogging it, he would have not come back until September if at all.
so, IOW, these are 2 extremely talented players that just happen to be healthy again.
Oh, and I think you do see guys play harder for contracts, most especially in basketball where a huge part of the game is busting your hump (rebounding, playing D), and once they get a big deal they go back to being lazy dogs. I just don’t think you have the same scenario much in baseball.
kingman 26
5/15/2011-11:03am at 11:03 am (UTC -4)
In Jose’s case, no way. He’s definitely not close to being smart enough to be that calculating.
In Beltran’s case, no, 2011′s performance is just a healthy star playing as he does when healthy.
However, I do think that his surgery timing and basically sacrificing 2010 off was most definitely calculated, as he knew that–even though he basically sacrificed the entire 2010 season with his timing–he would be healthy and ready for 2011.
So while his good 2011 is not contract-motivated, sacrificing 2010 almost certainly was he and Boras figuring out that they could be just what they have done.
rustyjr
5/15/2011-11:08am at 11:08 am (UTC -4)
psst – get the new anvil cd
kingman 26
5/15/2011-11:14am at 11:14 am (UTC -4)
Thanks for the tip buddy! Will check it out…
kistics
5/15/2011-11:13am at 11:13 am (UTC -4)
How about sacrificing one season to save his career? Or his knee? I don’t blame the guy for having a surgery, so that he can have longer and healthier career. The timing may not have been the best, but I think the problem was lack of communication between the team and Beltran.
kistics
5/15/2011-11:11am at 11:11 am (UTC -4)
I think it’s a combination of both. Being healthy definitely helps, but how do you not think about the contract situation?
njstuckintx
5/15/2011-11:27am at 11:27 am (UTC -4)
Both.