Scott Boras seeks to sign Jose Reyes

Agent Scott Boras, known for his tough negotiating tactics and for landing large and long-term contracts for baseball players, has been courting New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes. Boras met with Reyes in the off season in the Dominican Republic and again in Colorado during the Mets' series with the Rockies in May, according to baseball writer Ken Rosenthal.

Pressure has mounted on Mets ownership to re-sign Reyes when his contract expires at the end of the season. Reyes is a fan favorite and is easily the best player on the team right now. The 28-year-old All Star leads the National League with a .344 batting average, and his 12 triples are twice anyone else's totals in the Major Leagues.

Reyes is currently represented by Peter Greenberg and Associates. Signing with Boras would almost guarantee that Reyes would end up on another team, as the Mets are in a financial crisis and would need Reyes to give them a hometown discount. It's unlikely Boras would let Reyes settle for less than the free-agent market offers.

Agents regularly meet with the clients of other agents, and Reyes has been pursued by agents in the past. But the Mets front office is likely nervous about Boras' activity.

In a radio interview last week, Sandy Alderson referred to Ruben Tejada as the Mets' future second baseman, which could be construed as an official stance that Reyes is the current and future shortstop. Tejada was previously talked about in the Mets organization as the Reyes' heir at the shortstop position. The team put Tejada at short during his stint with Triple-A Buffalo before promoting him to play second base amid injuries and vacancies across the Mets' infield.

Mets majority owner Fred Wilpon made headlines in late May when he told a New Yorker writer that Reyes won't get Carl Crawford money, referring to the Boston Red Sox shortstop who signed a seven-year, $142 million contract in December. Given Reyes' performance thus far this season, he likely will.