Division rivals to fight it out for Reyes?

Late Thursday night MLBtraderumors.com posted an article citing CBSsports’ Scott Miller saying that Jose Reyes is a “right fit” for the Miami Marlins. This came a day after reports surfaced that Dominican had boarded a flight for Philadelphia. Rumors spread that a meeting between the shortstop and the Phillies were taking place, but Phillies’ general manager Ruben Amaro quickly shut the rumor it down.

Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman tweeted earlier Thursday that the Phillies, Braves and Giants were out of the running for the 28-year-old, instead turning their attention to former Marlin Alex Gonzalez.  With those three clubs out of the running, it seems as though it is just between the Marlins and their division foe, the Mets.

So far during the off-season there have been numerous “reports” as to what the Marlins and Mets have offered Reyes, with different “sources” giving out different financial numbers. The general accepted “truth,” however, is that the Marlins have an offer of six-years and between $70-90 million on the table. The Mets on the other hand are only willing to go five-years, $80 million.

Heyman speculated that the Marlins could bump up their offer and possibly give Reyes a deadline to accept. With the Mets as the only other apparent competition it seems the Marlins have, at the moment, a “better” offer standing. It may not be too long before Reyes boards another flight, but this time to Miami to sign his new deal.