Jose Reyes Looks Almost as Uncomfortable as We Are With the Marlins New Uniforms

The bewildered expression on his face almost reveals the fact that he can't wait until 2018 when he can finally take that god-awful thing off of his body. Make it stop, Miami.

[Sun-Sentinel]

Miami Marlins Pick up Jose Reyes for $106 Million

First of all, what the hell is going on with Jose Reyes' eyebrows? Stop it right now... Then again, I guess you can do whatever you want with your face when you're a multi-millionaire ballplayer.

The All-Star shortstop and reigning National League batting champion became the second top free agent to sign with the Marlins over the last few days, joining closer Heath Bell in the Sunshine State. Though Bell was given $27 million over three years, Reyes commanded much, much more: $106 million for a six-year contract. The deal includes a club option for 2018 that would bring his worth to around $120 million, according to an anonymous source close to negotiations.

Meanwhile, free agent whale Albert Pujols has already toured the spankin' new, $515 million retractable roof stadium in Miami. Prince Fielder, the other giant free agent still on the market, hasn't had a tour yet, but there has been a ridiculous amount of speculation that he may end up there. What are the chances one of these guys will land in Florida with Ozzie Guillen and the stupid new uniforms? Either way, this team is about to become one to reckon with, with or without those two.

Reyes followed the dollar signs out of New York after spending the last 12 years of his life in the organization. The 28-year-old signed there back when he was 16 and went on to bring home the Mets’ first NL batting title when he hit .337 with 16 triples and 39 stolen bases last season. The four-time All-Star and three-time stolen base champ, though a bit injury prone, will likely make Hanley Ramirez move from short stop to third base. Poor guy.

And poor Mets fans.

[New York Times]

Miguel Cabrera Earns First American League Batting Title

Miguel Cabrera enjoyed a 2-for-4 night to wrap up the American League batting title in his AL Central-Champion Detroit Tigers' 5-4 win over the Cleveland Indians Wednesday night.

Cabrera led off the sixth inning with a bloop single to right field before sending a double sailing down the left-field line in his next at bat to clinch the batting crown. I'd like to believe that even if he hadn't gone hitless in his first two at-bats, he would still have finished the game like he's responsible for doing as a team player. Unlike some selfish, stat-padding, batting champs we know.

The 28-year-old first baseman finished the season hitting .344, six points ahead of Texas Rangers outfielder Michael Young and Boston Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, both polishing off the year with a .338 average. Valiant effort, fellas. Cabrera had this to say about his achievement:

"It feels great. I got a couple hits. The only thing I haven't had in my career -- a batting title."

Jose Reyes Wins NL Batting Title, Leaves Game Early

Jose Reyes is your 2011 National League Batting Champion.

The New York Mets shortstop hit a bunt single in the bottom of the first inning of his team's 3-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds Wednesday, and promptly removed himself from the game to a chorus of boos in order to keep his 2-point lead over Ryan Braun in the NL batting race intact.

Braun, who would have either had to go 3-for-3 or 3-for-4 to edge Reyes, ended up with an 0-for-4 night instead during his Milwaukee Brewers 7-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Nice try pal, but we still totally love you. Besides, at least your team is going to the playoffs. Matt Kemp was vying for the batting title as well as the NL Triple Crown a little bit ago, but he totally blew it.

Anyway, I'm not too impressed with Reyes' leaving the game early just to call himself the batting champ. Something seems super lame about that. Texas Rangers pitcher C.J. Wilson (who apparently is a bit testy on Twitter) thinks so as well:

Beltran's Wounded Knee Won't Need Amputation

Nice catch, Fernando.

The New York Mets have finally gotten some good news. The second opinion (from Dr. Richard Steadman) on Carlos Beltran's hurt knee was the same as the Mets’ medical staff: no surgery required.

The Gold Glove center fielder will be re-evaluated later on this week and will most likely still be resting the bone bruise through the All-Star break. Beltran had been playing through the pain most of the season before landing on the 15-day disabled list last week, batting .336 with eight bombs, 20 doubles, 40 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. Not bad for wincing.

No More Mustache Rides For Reyes

Jose Reyes admitted Friday to getting into a heated argument over some on-air comments with color TV analyst Keith Hernandez on the team's charter flight to St. Louis last Sunday.

The New York Mets shortstop was offended by the following comments made by the former Met and Just For Men spokesperson during Sunday's broadcast following a glove-throwing fit Reyes tossed after making a throwing error...

"Well, he's got to get over that," Hernandez said. "Enough babying going on now. He's a grown man. He's been around a long enough time. Take off the kid gloves."

We've decided that Keith's opinion is warranted after being reminded of the tantrum Reyes threw after being pulled from a game by Jerry "Gangsta" Manuel a couple weeks ago.

Benches Clear at Shea Stadium

The New York Mets, facing elimination this weekend with a two-game gap between themselves and the surging Philadelphia Phillies, saw emotions run high as benches cleared after Florida Marlins pitcher Harvey Garcia threw behind Luis Castillo in the fifth inning.

(Update below)

It actually all started with Hanley Ramirez, when he was hit by a John Maine (in the middle of a no-hitter) pitch in the fourth, but not awarded first base. He writhed in pain after the ball seemed to hit him on the left hand, but plate umpire C.B. Bucknor ruled it a foul ball off the knob of the bat. Last year's NL Rookie of the Year then struck out swinging and left the game.

Now, after Castillo was threatened at the plate the next inning, Miguel Cabrera came over to talk down his former teammate, who had walked toward the mound with his arms spread out, still wielding his bat. After a short delay, play resumed. Castillo walked and manager Fredi Gonzalez came out to make a double switch.

Florida backstop Miguel Olivo, on the mound during the pitching change, suddenly steamed across the diamond and threw a punch at Jose Reyes, who was standing on third talking shit, sparking the melee. Olivo's swipe missed the big league steals-leader (and friend of his) among chants of "Jo-se, Jo-se, Jo-se" from the crowd.

Mets third base coach Sandy Alomar held back Olivo while Cabrera grabbed Reyes as both teams poured onto the field. There was lots pushing and shoving, but (sadly) no other punches were thrown. Olivo was ejected, but Reyes was not. He went on to score on David Wright's single, giving the Mets a 10-0 lead.

Through all of this, Maine continued his no-hit bid into the eighth, just to lose it to a two-out infield dribbler by Paul Hoover... the guy who replaced Olivo. The dynamite righty finished with 14 strikeouts, 2 walks and just the one hit surrendered over 7.1 innings pitched. New York went on to win 13-0, re-gaining their tie in the East with the Phillies, who lost 4-2 to the Washington Nationals.

With just one game remaining in the season, all kinds of crap could go down in the exciting NL races. We'll let this dude break it down for ya.

Update: Miguel Olivo was fined and suspended for 5 games by Bob Watson, baseball's VP of Discipline. Watson called Olivo's actions "inappropriate and violent."

[USA Today]

Jose Reyes: The New Man of Steal

Jose Reyes can't be trusted. You can't take your eye off of the guy for even a second and he's already split.

The New York Mets shortstop has 62 63 stolen bases on the season. SIXTY-TWO SIXTY-THREE, including 2 in each of his last three games (and one on Saturday).

So, what's his secret to successfully fooling the opposing pitching? A simple disregard for their ability to pick him off. Sure, he's been caught 15 times, but that's inevitable in 78 attempts.

When Reyes isn't swiping bags and flashing leather up the middle, he's keeping a steady .303 batting average with 9 homers and 48 RBIs on the year. We are so much more than impressed right now.

[New York Post]

Hard Lumber: Players of the Month

Ladies and gentlemen: your Players of the Month.

National League

New York Mets speedy shortstop Jose Reyes has been named the NL Player of the Month for April, for the first time in his career.

The 23-year-old Reyes batted .356, scored 26 runs and stole a major league-best 17 bases for the Mets, who had a fantastic 15-9 April.