Jose Reyes is hitting .168/.238/.235 in 64 games (130 plate appearances) this season while being worth -2 DRS at third base and -3 DRS at shortstop.
Beyond Reyes being unable to get on base, hit for power, or field at an average level, he is also no longer a true stolen base threat.
Despite the above, Mickey Callaway said Monday that with Todd Frazier out, Reyes "deserves" to start regularly at third base.
"We have several options, but I like Reyes over there," Callaway said before elaborating.
"The experience, the switch-hitter. He's been playing pretty good baseball lately when we've put him in there, so I think he deserves to have a shot at third."
Aside from Reyes, the Mets' current 25-man roster options at third base include Ty Kelly and Wilmer Flores. If Reyes is at third base, Flores will likely play first base, meaning Dominic Smith on the bench or in the outfield.
Then there's 26-year-old prospect Jeff McNeil, who is hitting .393/.453/.655 with four homers since being promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas. Overall this season, between Double-A and Triple-A, McNeil is hitting .346/.417/.634 with 18 homers.
Callaway said Monday that McNeil wasn't considered to replace Frazier because he's "purely a second baseman."
McNeil has played 47 games at second base this season, nine at third base, and three at shortstop. For his career, McNeil has played 148 games at third base and 209 at second base. Reyes has played 99 career games at third base.