Manuel to bat Reyes 3rd?

[WrightStuff]

Was a story last year at this time too, but link is below:

Jerry Manuel of New York Mets says he might bat Jose Reyes third - ESPN

Shortstop Jose Reyes appears to be healthy after missing most of last season. When the 2010 season starts he might have a new place in the New York Mets' batting order, too.

Manager Jerry Manuel said Friday that he might move Reyes to the third spot in the order from leadoff while outfielder Carlos Beltran is out after knee surgery. Either Angel Pagan, Beltran's likely replacement, or second baseman Luis Castillo would bat leadoff.

lastname
Reyes

Beltran is expected to return in May at the earliest.

"I think he's ready for that if it's something we need," Manuel said, according to the Star-Ledger of Newark, N.J. "This could be a part of his evolution as a player."

Manuel hinted last year that he might bat Reyes third but never instituted the lineup switch in a regular-season game.

Reyes said he was fine with Manuel's plan.

"I'm good with it," Reyes said, according to the New York Post. "I just want to be in the lineup."

Reyes said the order switch isn't a definite yet, however.

"He's not sure yet. We just talked about it a little bit yesterday," Reyes said, according the New York Daily News. "I said I'm open to anything you want me to do. It's not a problem."

Reyes was hampered last season by what was at first believed to be tendinitis in his right calf, which forced him out of a game against the Atlanta Braves in May. The injury was later diagnosed as a torn right hamstring tendon.

Reyes tried to get back on the field, but pulled his hamstring muscle in August while trying to return and wound up watching most of the Mets' disappointing 2009 season on television. New York, hampered by numerous injuries in stumbling to a 70-92 record, sorely missed Reyes' speed on the bases and run production -- he has averaged 62 steals and 113 runs scored per season.

Manuel hinted that he might keep Reyes in the third spot -- even after Beltran returns -- if the experiment is successful.

"Reyes, in my opinion, has evolved," Manuel said, according to the New York Post. "I could really stretch our lineup out if [Reyes] is able to handle that spot."

 

[EmpireWF]

Shouldn't David Wright hit 3rd?

Imagine if Reyes is #1, Wright will be #3 and Bay #4.

If they move Reyes to 3, than Wright is 4 and Bay is 5. Better meat in the line-up here.

 

[Primetime]

Wright should be hitting 3rd without a doubt. Reyes shouldn't bat any lower than #2.

 

[bcransom]

Castillo
Reyes
Wright
Bay
Beltran

IMO. Never been a big fan of Reyes hitting leadoff, I think he's a guy who needs the liberty to let it loose if he sees what he likes early in the count and leave it to a slap guy like Castillo to take pitches for the benefit of his teammates. If Wright's power struggles continue (I doubt it, I think he bounces back) then swap him with Beltran.

 

[celtsxpatsxsox]

If the Mets do indeed hit Reyes 3rd then I think their lineup should look like this.
1. Pagan
2. Castillo
3. Reyes
4. Wright
5. Bay
6. Beltran

OT: Why does everyone give Castillo a bad rep. Granted I don't watch the Mets that much but his numbers seem pretty good.

 

[WrightStuff]

Amen to that DET. I like Castillo and would actually want him to bat leadoff. He gets on base and takes a lot of pitches for the players behind him to see. That and he still has a bit of speed for the basepaths. I would then bat Pagan 2nd for now.

 

[EmpireWF]

Moneyman, all this is b/c Beltran will miss about 2 months to start the year.

Either Reyes will remain at #1 or move to #3 to keep Wright and Bay at 4 & 5.

 

[WrightStuff]

Most likely there lineup will look like this: / is for if righty or lefty is pitching:

2. Louis Castillo

Yes with his numbers it seems like he would be good at leadoff. But if you watch all 162 gms a year like I do. lol... Then you would know Castillo is only good in the 2 hole. He never produces or does anything when they try to bat him leadoff or in the 8 hole.

HUGE METS FAN!!!

Ah yes, but if you were a real Met fan like myself, you would know his name is actually Luis Castillo.