End of an Era

Post date: Apr 5, 2010 9:18:42 PM

Shortstop Jose Reyes, the longest tenured Athletics player, was traded to Brantford

On December 20th, 2001, the Philadelphia Athletics agreed to a contract with a little known 18-year old shorstop prospect from the Dominican Republic by the name of Jose Reyes. A light-hitter, speed was the athletic Reyes' main weapon. Little did the A's franchise know at the time of his signing that Reyes would one day become the longest-tenured player in team history, a WFBL record-setter who would help lead the club to a championship.

On April 1st, 2010, more than 8 years after that signing, Reyes was traded away to the Brantford Bison. In return the A's received popular local MLB shortstop Jimmy Rollins. Reyes rose through the ranks of the A's minor league system, finally becoming the starter for the 2005 season. He would remain the starter for more than four years, until having his 2009 season derailed by a leg injury in May. During that time period, Reyes amassed 733 hits, 2nd in club history at the time of his trade. His 419 runs scored ranks 5th on the A's all-time list.

But it was in that area of speed that Jose Reyes made his mark. It became his signature, was his hallmark, made him a unique weapon, and it was the area in which Reyes was unmatched. His 240 career steals with the A's leads that all-time category, and is more than double the 2nd place holder. In 2007, Reyes stole 74 bases to set a new franchise and WFBL record. Finally, he was the starting shorstop for the 2008 club that won the WFBL Championship.

At the 2010 Winter Meetings, the A's dealt away centerfielder Grady Sizemore, who had patrolled the A's outfield since that same 2005 season. In fact, Sizemore and Reyes were joined that year by another rookie starter, 2nd baseman Chase Utley. The three youngsters grew together with the team and became the core around which that '08 title club was built. Now with both Sizemore gone to California and Reyes to Canada, the A's have turned the page on a highly successful era in club history.

For his part, Rollins brings to the A's lineup a strong veteran with a dynamic offensive profile who is still in his prime. At age 31, the A's believe that the player popularly known as 'J-Roll' will be able to continue to perform for at least the next 4-5 seasons as a valuable fantasy baseball presence in the lineup. Although not rated for those fantasy purposes, Rollins' leadership abilities will help in the clubhouse, and his partnership with Chase Utley in the middle of the A's infield is expected to become a key part of the team's attack over those next few seasons.