I like heading into this off season with a current state of the team and a projection of what I think the game plan should be. Why did I include Jose Reyes in the title? It isn't for the SEO, trust me. I feel that the status of the Mets is, has, and will be directly linked to Reyes as long as he is on the Mets. More than any other player on the team, I feel this way for a couple reasons.
First, he runs the offense, or doesn't. He is unquestionably the gas pedal to the Mets lineup and will be when healthy. The electricity in his triples, the fear of him turning a single into a triple in a couple of pitches, and his occasional pop all go a long way to starting off the first inning with a lead. When right, we have seen the Mets go large stretches of games getting one, two, three, or four runs in the first and starting the game on their terms. The problem is, we didn't see that last year. No electricity, no Jose.
Second, his infectious attitude, and not only on his teammates. Sure, we know that he lights a fire on the field. He helps bring confidence to his teammates when he plays well, and he takes a little pressure off of them as well. However, how many of you have have sat back while attending a game and felt the vibe of the stadium. I attend games every year. I will say this. There is a totally different feeling when Jose Reyes is in the lineup. The chants, the cheering, the feeling when he gets up to the plate leads to anticipation and energy in the stands. Teams fuel off that energy. Have you seen the energy at Citizens Bank Park? That is the energy I feel when Jose Reyes gets up to bat. That is the energy this team needs to feel. It isn't a sense of urgency to win (which I feel plagues them sometimes), it is a belief that they will win.
Finally, he has guts. My biggest problem with the Mets is not new. I can sum it up in one example. This post season I have seen A-Rod try to run the catcher over. I have seen Ryan Howard do the same. I regularly see players do this every season. Jose Reyes is about the only player (Daniel Murphy probably too) on the Mets that I feel might do this if needed. I have also seen David Wright many times avoid this at all cost. It infuriates me. Suck it up and play to win. I can read it on his face, he wants so badly to win. Although immature at points, I feel he has the hunger, desire, and heart I have talked about, to be a winner.
We have heard that Jose will be healthy next season. According to ESPN, Jose underwent successful surgery to clean up some scar tissue and he will rehab then begin baseball activity after the new year. The question is, how will the injury and its psychological effect on Jose, effect his play next spring? Anything less that 100% for the type of player he is, will not do. Speed is his weapon of choice, it has to be.
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