Jose Reyes OVERRATED: Comments Answered

One of our writers, Joe, posted an article about how he felt Mets Short Stop Jose Reyes was overrated and why. Here are some of the comments below and Joe's response to them. Feel free to read Joe's original article and comment if you like.



Comment #1:

So by using only select Offensive stats for a down year for Reyes, totally discounting defensive skills and comparing him to Shane (a player who mans a different position, and is a power hitter, not a leadoff hitter) you arrived at this brilliant conclusion?You couldn't possibly have made more errors in your logi. Congrats on this being your first post. May it be your last.

Joe's Response:

1) Your argument should be invalidated immedietely for referring to Shane Victorino as a Power hitter, but I'm not going to ignore your other point.Next, I don't know why everyone keeps acting like other than last year Jose Reyes has been destroying the ball.If you look, last year stayed consistent with his 3 year average totals. He had a slight down year when it came to RBI's and AVG. That's about it.I'm not discounting his defensive skills at all. That's why I didn't mention them. If he couldn't play defense he shouldn't be a Shortstop anyway.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Comment #2:

dumbest post i've ever read and i dont even like the Mets. You took a select time frame when Reyes had the worst slump of his career, and compared him to an outfielder, who shifts positions, and plays in a a womens shoebox. And then you didn't even talk about his rediculous defense or any of his numbers from the 2 previous years.But if trying to convince yourself that Victorino is better than Reyes helps you sleep better at night, so be it.Again...dumbest post I've ever read..and this blog is terrible as well.

Joe's Response:

2)I already answered this "slump" claim in the response above so I'll avoid doing it again. I'll address your comparision gripe below. Jose Reyes plays great defense. I'm not arguing that fact. I am saying he is not the offensive juggernaut that is often claimed.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Comment #3:

Over the last two years, Reyes has produced a run every 7.70 plate appearances; Victorino takes 7.97 plate appearance per run scored.Reyes' total bases + walks + HBP per plate appearance, or "Total-total bases" per PA is .502. Victorino's is .471In other words, Reyes - batting leadoff in a pitchers' park - produces more runs than Victorino - batting 2 or 6 in a hitters' park.You normally also expect higher offensive production from your RF than your SS since SS is much more of a specialist defensive position.The conclusion? Your argument is baseless.

Joe's Response:

3)I'll address your concerns in the below wrapup.

So, maybe I should have pointed this out. I'm not comparing these two players thinking they should be the exact same. What I am saying is that it is sad that your "offensive sparkplug" puts up numbers that can even be compared to a toolsy outfielder who could barely make the starting squad and was acquired from the rule 5 draft. Outfielders should normally put up better numbers being outfielders but one of your most potent offensive threats should be INCOMPARABLE to a guy who used to be a 4th outfielder. This isn't rocket science. Also, all three of you mention his "slump". As I mentioned last season was more in line with his career numbers than 2006 season.

Please keep the comments coming.