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Palladino: Forget Utility Player, Mets Should Plant Reyes At Third Base

By Ernie Palladino
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Terry Collins may never say it outright, but he has a decision to make about Jose Reyes starting Friday when the Mets gather for official full-squad workouts.

He can either plant his leadoff hitter at third base permanently, or bounce him around the infield and outfield to keep his valuable bat in the daily lineup.

Reyes undoubtedly can handle the latter plan. From his first incarnation with the Mets, he proved he could play both shortstop and second. And since his return last July after Colorado cut him following a suspension for domestic violence, the 33-year-old Dominican has been talked about as a possible center field plug-in, even though he has never played a game out there.