Shortstop Jose Reyes, designated for assignment by the Rockies on Wednesday, could land with the Kansas City Royals, according to Reyes’ former teammate Alex Cora.
Currently an analyst for ESPN, Cora, citing “sources,” said the Royals are considering Reyes to play second base. The defending World Series champions have an opening there after recently parting ways with second baseman Omar Infante.
The Rockies made it clear Wednesday that .
By designating the 33-year-old shortstop for assignment, Colorado has 10 days to trade or release him. With the likelihood that the Rockies will be forced to eat the $41 million remaining on his contract through 2017, another team could decide to take a chance on the former NL batting champion and pay him only the league minimum with the Rockies covering the rest.
Baseball Insider for 1 day;
Sources: Royals 👀 José Reyes to play 2B.
Ok, back to be the ex-player who will be covering the @NCAACWS.
— Alex (@ac13alex)
The New York Yankees and New York Mets are both reportedly out of the running for Reyes’ services, . Reyes played nine seasons with the Mets, hitting .292 with 81 home runs, 99 triples and 370 stolen bases. He won the batting title there in 2011 with a .337 average.
“When we lost Jose, I said, ‘This is a major piece gone here,’ because of his energy to play the game, his love to play the game, his love to play the game in New York City,” Mets manager Terry Collins told the Daily News. “Itap hard to find those guys. We missed him. I don’t know whatap going to happen down the road. I certainly will always root for him.”
Reyes served a 51-game suspension this year after his , but many have argued he should not receive a second chance to resume his major-league career following allegations that he assaulted his wife, Katherine, in their Maui hotel room. Charges against Reyes were dropped after his wife refused to cooperate with authorities.
David Lennon, a columnist for Newsday, says , given his past success there and home in Long Island.
“If there is any place that could rejuvenate Reyes, 33, it would be Citi Field, with spacious outfield gaps that cater to his speed on the basepaths, something the Mets sorely lack. And if he’s deemed worthy of a second chance, despite the ugly allegations, Reyes’ best shot at a comeback may be his former home,” Lennon writes.
