Rey of Light...Hitting

The Mets have replaced shortstop Rey Ordonez with Rey Sanchez while they await heir apparent Jose Reyes. I guess so much for "Rey must go!" Sanchez was signed to a one-year deal as a stopgap at short until the 18-year-old Reyes is ready.

Aside from the similarity in their first names, both Reys are light-hitting, good-fielding shortstops. Sanchez has started at second base as well throughout his career and did so last year with the Red Sox. He is at least a slight upgrade over Ordonez offensively, who for his career has an OPS that is only 59% of the adjusted league average. Sanchez is at a still-modest 70%. Sanchez's career batting average is 30 points higher than Ordonez. His paltry .311 career on-base percentage is 21 points higher than Ordonez'. To put it mildly, neither one is going to be in the running for a Silver Slugger award.

The Mets had a chance to sign a superior offensive shortstop in free agent Jose Hernandez, but for whatever reason the discussions never got past the beginning (i.e., faxing and voice-mailing) phases. Hernandez had an OPS that 21% better than the adjusted league average. He batted .288 with 24 HRs and 73 RBI and was an all-star. There were rumors that he would sign a long-term contract and slide over to third when Reyes was ready.

It must have been the name that threw the Mets.