Mets GM expects backlash in wake of Reyes deal
On Saturday, Jose Reyes was released by the Colorado Rockies, who will now pay the four-time All-Star - suspended 52 games without pay earlier this year after allegedly grabbing his wife by the throat and shoving her into a sliding glass door in October - almost $40 million not to play for them.
Hours after being released, Reyes was offered a shot at redemption, reuniting with the New York Mets on a minor-league deal, but general manager Sandy Alderson knows some people in Queens won't be eager to welcome back an accused domestic abuser. Though Alderson insisted Reyes "doesn't deserve to be ostracized," he does anticipate some backlash.
"We fully understand that there will be a difference of opinions on this. We accept that, we respect that." Alderson told reporters shortly after the Mets announced their new deal with Reyes, who played in New York from 2003-11.
Related: Mets bring back Reyes on minor-league deal
In a statement released Saturday, Reyes - expected to debut Sunday with the Mets' affiliate in the New York-Penn League before moving on to Double-A or Triple-A - said he "deeply regret(s) the incident that occurred and remains remorseful and apologetic to (his) family." Alderson added that Reyes, 33, will undergo counseling while noting that the club intends to be a leader with respect to combating domestic abuse.
"He is committed to ongoing counseling and support of organizations working against domestic abuse," said Alderson. “And obviously, in addition to this personal meeting, we had a lot of internal conversation. (COO) Jeff Wilpon was directly involved in this every step of the way. We were aware of the possible controversy that this would generate. We are also fully aware of the responsibility we have to be leaders in this area of fighting domestic abuse."
Signed by the Mets as an amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 1999, Reyes is widely regarded as the best shortstop in franchise history, compiling 30.7 WAR in 1,050 games with the club, while averaging a .790 OPS with 52 extra-base hits and 48 stolen bases per year from 2005 through 2011.