Dallas, TX – While the Miami Marlins wait on Albert Pujols to year deal with shortstop Jose Reyes.
Although financial details were not released, the pact for the former New York Met is believed to be worth a minimum of $106 million and includes an option for a seventh season.
The 28-year-old Reyes broke into the majors in 2003 and quickly became the Mets' everyday shortstop. Injuries have sapped his production over the past few years, but he hit a career-high and National League-best .337 in 126 games last season, adding 39 stolen bases and 101 runs scored. He also set career bests for on-base percentage (.384) and slugging percentage (.493).
Reyes was arguably the league's best player in the first half of 2011, hitting .354 with 15 triples. However, hamstring issues caused him to miss most of the second half, as he only played in 46 games and was nowhere near as dynamic as he was through the first 80 games.
Since his first full season in the majors in 2005, Reyes leads all players in triples (93) and is second in stolen bases (338). He won the NL Silver Slugger award in 2006, when he registered a career-high 19 home runs and 81 RBI with a .300 average.
Reyes led the majors in triples in 2005, 2006 and 2008, registering a career- high 19 in 2008. He also led baseball in stolen bases in 2006 and 2007, with a career-high 78 in 2007. Additionally, Reyes led the NL in stolen bases in 2005 and hits in 2008, when he had a career-high 204.
The previously tight-pocketed Marlins are moving to a new stadium next season after sharing one with the NFL's Miami Dolphins since becoming the expansion Florida Marlins in 1993.
This offseason has already seen them bring in a new manager in Ozzie Guillen, who led the White Sox to a World Series title in 2005, as well as closer Heath Bell, while still trying to secure Pujols.
Reyes, though, is already in the fold, despite the Marlins having an All-Star caliber shortstop in Hanley Ramirez, who is apparently unhappy with a potential move to third base.
Reyes, a four-time All-Star himself, is a career .292 hitter who has a .341 on-base percentage and 370 stolen bases in 1,050 games -- all with the Mets.
