SSI Mainframe:  First of all, Reyes' BABIP was up -- to some extent -- because he was unconscious.  In the zone.  En Fuego.  You'd almost have thought he was playing for a contract.  It wasn't luck primarily; the man was blistering the ball.

 

That said, scale Reyes' BABIP back to his previous and you've still got a 6+ RC/27 player.  Reyes' OPS+ was 143; scale that back to 120, 125 and you've still got a franchise shortstop.  

 

Ichiro's career OPS+ is 114.  Jose Reyes averages 113 runs per 162 games, career.  In most scenarios, Reyes compares well to Ichiro as an offensive player, and Reyes plays middle infield. 

 

Take away Reyes' 70 SB's, and take away his BABIP, and you've still got an impressive offensive weapon.

 

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A.  Reyes' brand of sugar, I like.  It's not narcissistic in T.O. style; Reyes is a dynamic, exciting player.

 

 

A.  If the alternative is once again for the Mariners to keep all their money, as opposed to putting a better team on the field.

 

Dr. D was pretty worried about Larry Stone's shot across Section 339's bow, warning fans not to get excited about Yu Darvish.  In the old days, coming from Bob Finnigan, this would have been an early step towards "managing fan expectations," as Finnigan labored to keep the M's suits lives as comfortable as possible.

 

I don't think that Stone functions in that capacity nowadays, but I couldn't guarantee you.  At any rate, if the M's start making noises about no significant additions to their 93-loss wonders, then at that point a Jose Reyes signing is much, much preferable to more of the "Competitive Product and Nice Night At The Ballpark" theme.