
This deal, as well as the one that brought the Jays RA Dickey from the Mets, put the Toronto team in a position where they could have been considered favorites to win the AL East division or at least compete for a Wild Card spot. It didn't work out that way. An early Reyes injury coupled by the lack of production from the team's starting rotation has the Jays playing out the string like they have been since their last World Series Championship in 1993. There are several key decisions they have to make to plan for next season. It will start out with who their manager will be. Should they retain John Gibbons? How do they address what has been a terrible starting rotation? Do they need to get younger?
Reyes, because of his ability, will be sought after whether the Jays are willing to deal him or not. The New York Yankees will probably inquire on his services, with the thought in the back of their mind that maybe it would be better to pursue him after the 2014 season. The same can be said for the Yankees, Troy Tulowitski and the Colorado Rockies. Because of the value of a productive shortstop, the Jays may not be interested in trading Reyes at any cost.
Because of this, an interested team has to look at giving up something valuable in a deal to land Jose Reyes. The Yankees, for example, do not have enough MLB ready prospects to suffice the Jays needs. It could change after this season, as prospects like Mason Williams, Slade Heathcott and Gary Sanchez move up through the team's system. The St Louis Cardinals have gotten by with a .218 hitting Pete Kozma playing SS. They have the farm system to get a deal like this done. It would be interesting to see if the Tampa Bay Rays would be interested in paying Reyes for the balance of his contract, however, that seems unlikely.
Jose Reyes made a ton of fans during his time with the Mets. A bunch of fans did want to see him go. Many are content with the probability that Reyes will never play for the Mets again. Those who want to see the Mets trade for him, would never want to see the team part with guys like Zack Wheeler, Travis d'Arnaud and others. The Jays would probably want multiple players back including a middle infielder. While I do not think it is likely that the Mets and Jays can agree on a deal, I have one to propose. I think this is a deal that can help out both teams. As with any other proposed trades, people will disagree on both ends of the spectrum. A suggest the Mets give up a young pitcher who many Mets fans think will be a very important part of the team's future, Noah Syndergaard, a pitcher who the Jays probably did not want to give up in the first place. With Syndergaard going to the Jays would be Ruben Tejada, a player who has upside but has worn out his welcome with the Mets. Reyes would come back to Queens, with perhaps a pitcher like JA Happ, Brett Cecil or even take a chance on Ricky Romero. Syndergaard may be considered too much to give up, but the thought of him and Tejada being enough to get Reyes back could make this deal seem like it might make sense to make. Of course, simply signing Reyes two offseasons ago would have allowed the team to retain him for nothing.
Reyes' 6 year contract does not seem so bad right now, two seasons in. But after being owed $16 million for next season, he makes $22 million a season from 2015-2017. Maybe the Jays would be asked to take on some of the contract. If that is the case, then maybe there is a deal. I am sure the thought of paying Reyes and trading Syndergaard is probably the last thing New York Mets fans want to think about. But, understand this, the Mets will be paying one or two players a lot of money for the distant future. Whoever it is, many will complain about what they are getting paid.