AdropOFvenom
BBW Member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2007
- Messages
- 11,586
- Likes
- 0
- Points
- 36
Re: Reyes > A-Rod?!
http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/met...l=ny-mets-print<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>It probably won't have the legs of "Willie or Mickey?" because they likely won't share the Big Apple spotlight for such an extended period. But at the moment, New York baseball enthusiasts can debate this question: REYES OR A-ROD?Whom would you rather have on your 2007 club? Mets shortstop Jose Reyes or Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez? Both have enjoyed monster starts to the season, putting very early stakes on their leagues' Most Valuable Player awards.Newsday posed the question to the experts - executives and scouts around the industry, although not from the Mets or Yankees - who were asked to keep in mind not only the players' talents, but also their ages and contracts.Of the 16 officials from 16 clubs that responded, on the condition of anonymity, Reyes won in a blowout, 11 to 5.For some of the Reyes supporters, the cheaper salary won them over. For others, it was the Met's low-maintenance personality, compared with the soap opera that A-Rod's career tends to be. Another pair of respondents cited Reyes' versatility.Those who voted for A-Rod tended to stress the slugger's strengths, rather than Reyes' weaknesses."A-Rod bats third in my lineup," one front-office person said, "and I don't care about the money."AFFORDABLE REYESThat pro-A-Rod executive was the only one who had no worries about the money coming to the future Hall of Famer. Rodriguez has a contract through 2010 with the Yankees, for $27 million per season, but it is universally believed that A-Rod will opt out of those years - a right the Rangers gave him when they committed 10 years and $252 million to him, in December 2000 - and shop himself on the free-agent market.Reyes, on the other hand, signed a four-year, $23.25-million agreement with the Mets last season, with an $11-million team option for 2011. He has one of the most team-friendly deals in the entire industry."Absolutely Reyes," one front-office person said, mentioning Reyes' contract. "No question about it.""My initial reaction is to say A-Rod, for the simple reason that he is without a doubt the best player in the league," another executive said. "However, if you add into the mix that you are talking about a 24-year-old shortstop whom you would control through 2011 versus a player who no longer plays a premium position and will very likely be a free agent at the end of the season, I have to give the nod to Reyes. "Even if you told me to eliminate considerations beyond this season, I think I would still stick with Reyes, so long as I get to spend the $20-million difference between their current salaries on improving the club that has Reyes and not A-Rod."Reyes, who turns 24 on June 11, will make $2.875 million this year, far beneath A-Rod's $27 million.A third official noted that Reyes' contract, already a bargain, will look far better by the time 2011 rolls along. Without the salary consideration, this official noted, it would be a tougher call.A fourth talent evaluator put it simply: "Reyes, because he is not represented by Scott Boras in an out year."UNWANTED DRAMAAs much as the Yankees have struggled this season, they would be in far worse shape if not for A-Rod. The 31-year-old has smoked the ball, contributing two walk-off homers among his 14 round-trippers.Nevertheless, the participants in this survey weren't so blown away that they disregarded the past turbulence in Rodriguez's career.With Reyes, one official said: "You don't have to worry about the three-ring circus that follows A-Rod each and every game. There are too-high expectations for A-Rod. The focus is always on him and not the team. You don't have that problem with Reyes."Offered a scout: "I think that A-Rod is hypersensitive, and that affects his mood swings and performance swings. It appears from a distance that Reyes is less susceptible to these fluctuations."A second scout said that, despite A-Rod's current run, he couldn't shake visions of Rodriguez's outward lack of confidence during slumps.ALL-AROUND GAMEMost baseball people view Rodriguez as a five-tool player, yet his power hitting stands out most. Whereas Reyes' speed intrigued some respondents enough to go with the shortstop."He can beat you with so many weapons," one front-office employee said of Reyes."When you need a hit, he can come through with a bunt, a home run, a stolen base. A-Rod has got more power, no doubt about it. But if you tell me that it's the ninth inning, and who you want to come into the plate to win the game for you? Between A-Rod and Reyes, I'll pick Reyes."A scout, citing Reyes' youth and speed as his deciding factor, said: "He can manufacture more runs than a home run streak. He's tougher to pitch to with the switch-hitting ability, if you need a hit."One general manager, wrapping up the argument for Reyes, said: "He's dominant for the position, young and affordable. On so many levels, he provides a competitive advantage."WHAT ABOUT A-ROD? No respondent offered a single word of criticism for Reyes. But of the minority that voted for A-Rod, some expressed amazement that the Yankee's greatness wasn't appreciated more.While calling Reyes "the 2007 version of Steve Austin, the Six Million Dollar Man," one official argued, "Alex Rodriguez is a once-in-a-lifetime player.Too bad the New York fans have never embraced him for what he is. He's one of the five greatest players of all time. "It takes a great team to win a championship. Only A-Rod is capable of 800 homers and playing shortstop or third base at a Gold Glove caliber."Added a scout: "Reyes is a terrific player, but I wouldn't take him over Rodriguez, not in a minute. Put a bat in their hands, and Reyes isn't in the same park as this guy. It's hands down."Overall, however, Reyes won, hands down, among the professionals. But that shouldn't stop the Yankees and Mets fans from arguing it out on their own.REYES SCORECARDCheaper salaryLow-maintenance personalityVersatility and speed2007 SALARY: $2.875 millionA-ROD SCORECARDHall-of-Fame playerPower numbersGold Glove defender2007 SALARY: $27 million</div><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>JOSE REYES 2007 STATS A-RODThrough Friday's games 21 GAMES 2124 RUNS 2732 HITS 315 TRIPLES 02 HOME RUNS 1416 RBIs 3413 STOLEN BASES 2.429 ON-BASE PERCENTAGE .429.598 SLUGGING PERCENTAGE .941.348 BATTING AVERAGE .365</div>Here we go... :whistling:
http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/met...l=ny-mets-print<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>It probably won't have the legs of "Willie or Mickey?" because they likely won't share the Big Apple spotlight for such an extended period. But at the moment, New York baseball enthusiasts can debate this question: REYES OR A-ROD?Whom would you rather have on your 2007 club? Mets shortstop Jose Reyes or Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez? Both have enjoyed monster starts to the season, putting very early stakes on their leagues' Most Valuable Player awards.Newsday posed the question to the experts - executives and scouts around the industry, although not from the Mets or Yankees - who were asked to keep in mind not only the players' talents, but also their ages and contracts.Of the 16 officials from 16 clubs that responded, on the condition of anonymity, Reyes won in a blowout, 11 to 5.For some of the Reyes supporters, the cheaper salary won them over. For others, it was the Met's low-maintenance personality, compared with the soap opera that A-Rod's career tends to be. Another pair of respondents cited Reyes' versatility.Those who voted for A-Rod tended to stress the slugger's strengths, rather than Reyes' weaknesses."A-Rod bats third in my lineup," one front-office person said, "and I don't care about the money."AFFORDABLE REYESThat pro-A-Rod executive was the only one who had no worries about the money coming to the future Hall of Famer. Rodriguez has a contract through 2010 with the Yankees, for $27 million per season, but it is universally believed that A-Rod will opt out of those years - a right the Rangers gave him when they committed 10 years and $252 million to him, in December 2000 - and shop himself on the free-agent market.Reyes, on the other hand, signed a four-year, $23.25-million agreement with the Mets last season, with an $11-million team option for 2011. He has one of the most team-friendly deals in the entire industry."Absolutely Reyes," one front-office person said, mentioning Reyes' contract. "No question about it.""My initial reaction is to say A-Rod, for the simple reason that he is without a doubt the best player in the league," another executive said. "However, if you add into the mix that you are talking about a 24-year-old shortstop whom you would control through 2011 versus a player who no longer plays a premium position and will very likely be a free agent at the end of the season, I have to give the nod to Reyes. "Even if you told me to eliminate considerations beyond this season, I think I would still stick with Reyes, so long as I get to spend the $20-million difference between their current salaries on improving the club that has Reyes and not A-Rod."Reyes, who turns 24 on June 11, will make $2.875 million this year, far beneath A-Rod's $27 million.A third official noted that Reyes' contract, already a bargain, will look far better by the time 2011 rolls along. Without the salary consideration, this official noted, it would be a tougher call.A fourth talent evaluator put it simply: "Reyes, because he is not represented by Scott Boras in an out year."UNWANTED DRAMAAs much as the Yankees have struggled this season, they would be in far worse shape if not for A-Rod. The 31-year-old has smoked the ball, contributing two walk-off homers among his 14 round-trippers.Nevertheless, the participants in this survey weren't so blown away that they disregarded the past turbulence in Rodriguez's career.With Reyes, one official said: "You don't have to worry about the three-ring circus that follows A-Rod each and every game. There are too-high expectations for A-Rod. The focus is always on him and not the team. You don't have that problem with Reyes."Offered a scout: "I think that A-Rod is hypersensitive, and that affects his mood swings and performance swings. It appears from a distance that Reyes is less susceptible to these fluctuations."A second scout said that, despite A-Rod's current run, he couldn't shake visions of Rodriguez's outward lack of confidence during slumps.ALL-AROUND GAMEMost baseball people view Rodriguez as a five-tool player, yet his power hitting stands out most. Whereas Reyes' speed intrigued some respondents enough to go with the shortstop."He can beat you with so many weapons," one front-office employee said of Reyes."When you need a hit, he can come through with a bunt, a home run, a stolen base. A-Rod has got more power, no doubt about it. But if you tell me that it's the ninth inning, and who you want to come into the plate to win the game for you? Between A-Rod and Reyes, I'll pick Reyes."A scout, citing Reyes' youth and speed as his deciding factor, said: "He can manufacture more runs than a home run streak. He's tougher to pitch to with the switch-hitting ability, if you need a hit."One general manager, wrapping up the argument for Reyes, said: "He's dominant for the position, young and affordable. On so many levels, he provides a competitive advantage."WHAT ABOUT A-ROD? No respondent offered a single word of criticism for Reyes. But of the minority that voted for A-Rod, some expressed amazement that the Yankee's greatness wasn't appreciated more.While calling Reyes "the 2007 version of Steve Austin, the Six Million Dollar Man," one official argued, "Alex Rodriguez is a once-in-a-lifetime player.Too bad the New York fans have never embraced him for what he is. He's one of the five greatest players of all time. "It takes a great team to win a championship. Only A-Rod is capable of 800 homers and playing shortstop or third base at a Gold Glove caliber."Added a scout: "Reyes is a terrific player, but I wouldn't take him over Rodriguez, not in a minute. Put a bat in their hands, and Reyes isn't in the same park as this guy. It's hands down."Overall, however, Reyes won, hands down, among the professionals. But that shouldn't stop the Yankees and Mets fans from arguing it out on their own.REYES SCORECARDCheaper salaryLow-maintenance personalityVersatility and speed2007 SALARY: $2.875 millionA-ROD SCORECARDHall-of-Fame playerPower numbersGold Glove defender2007 SALARY: $27 million</div><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>JOSE REYES 2007 STATS A-RODThrough Friday's games 21 GAMES 2124 RUNS 2732 HITS 315 TRIPLES 02 HOME RUNS 1416 RBIs 3413 STOLEN BASES 2.429 ON-BASE PERCENTAGE .429.598 SLUGGING PERCENTAGE .941.348 BATTING AVERAGE .365</div>Here we go... :whistling:
BTW, Don't ever expect Yankee fans to concede that Reyes is better then Jeter. 
