Mets pick up Jose Reyes' option for 2017

Reyes returned to the Mets last season after being released by the Rockies

The Mets have picked up Jose Reyes‘ option for the 2017 season, the team announced Thursday.

Since Reyes was released by the Rockies this past season after serving his 52-game suspension for domestic violence, the Mets are only responsible for paying him the league minimum next season.

Reyes signed with New York on a minor league deal on June 26 after being released.

Most fans and media questioned whether Reyes had anything left (to say nothing of his domestic violence incident) when he was brought back, but he proved that he did. And the Mets now find themselves in a pretty advantageous spot.

What’s a bit disconcerting is that Reyes’ performance in 2016 might have meant he was dogging it in Toronto and Colorado, but I digress.

Reyes hit .267/.326/.443 with the Mets with eight HR, 13 doubles, four triples, and nine steals in 60 games (50 starts at third base, 10 starts at shortstop). He was also adjusting to third base, where his defense was solid.

If the Mets bring back Neil Walker (the expectation is that they’ll at least extend a qualifying offer) and David Wright is healthy, Reyes would likely be used as a super-utility player.

But it’s likely one or both of the above things doesn’t happen, resulting in Reyes playing either second base or returning to third base. He could also fill in at shortstop if Asdrubal Cabrera misses time, but that would be less than ideal.

If you extrapolate what Reyes did in 2016 over a full season, you get a player who would hit roughly 20 HR, 30 doubles, 10 triples, and swipe 25 bases. Not bad for the league minimum.