MLB Trade Rumors: Teams interested in Jose Reyes despite suspension
Despite facing a massive suspension for domestic assault, MLB teams are reportedly interesting in trading for Colorado Rockies SS Jose Reyes.
They may not be crazy about his actions off of the field, but there are Major League Baseball teams looking to trade for Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes, according to Buster Olney of ESPN. Reyes has not played in a game this season and is facing a long suspension, but productive shortstops are hard to find making him appealing to some teams.
Sources: There are teams interested in dealing for Jose Reyes as he prepares to return. Will be credited with time served in his suspension.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) May 13, 2016
On October 31, Reyes was arrested in Maui, Hawaii on domestic assault charges against his wife. Reyes plead not guilty and the charges have been dropped, but MLB commissioner Robert Manfred still has the authority to suspend Reyes as he wishes.
Reyes has missed the Rockies’ first 34 games of the season while on leave from the team, but the decision whether to suspend him or not is supposed to come down any moment now. According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, Reyes is facing a ban of “at least 60 games and perhaps significantly longer than that.”
The Rockies seemingly have no interest in having Reyes back on the team, especially after his replacement Trevor Story has gotten off to a hot start and appears to have a bright future ahead of him. With no need for him on the roster and a suspension looming, the Rockies would love to get anything in return for Reyes.
Olney mentioning that the time already served will be credited in his suspension is important here. If it does end up being a 60-game ban, that is obviously significant because Reyes has already served over half of that. With that in mind, I suppose I can understand a team trading for him.
Reyes’ production has slipped in recent years, but he is still a talented shortstop who will make an impact offensively, defensively and on the base paths. Shortstop is an incredibly difficult position to fill, and despite his issues off-the-field, Reyes is a proven player at the position who can be had cheaply.
Any team trading for him would have to feel dirty, but they are in the business of winning baseball games.
For more MLB Trade Rumors, check out MLB Trade Rumors hub page.