Jose Reyes squared toward Washington’s pitcher Tuesday, ready to bunt — but he set up a trick. The Rockies’ shortstop faked, pulled back and took a called strike. A Coors Field heckler, perhaps still ticked that the Rockies’ former, beloved shortstop was long gone, yelled: “C’mon, Tulo!”

Reyes then lined a home run to right field on the next pitch.

“In this ballpark, the ball will fly,” Reyes said.

Reyes had arrived with the Rockies. But the veteran, switch-hitting shortstop — part of the Troy Tulowitzki trade — may not be long for Colorado.

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He’s not interested in playing for a team that isn’t competitive. And the Rockies, on pace for another 95-loss season, likely aren’t interested in an aging, high-priced veteran. Colorado owes Reyes more than $56 million through the 2017 season. He’s now their highest-paid player.

“You come from a ballclub that was competing for a spot in the playoffs. And you come to a club in last place. You think about that,” Reyes said of the trade that ripped him out of Toronto. The Blue Jays, with Tulowitzki, have surged into a battle with the New York Yankees for first place in the American League East.

“I’m at the point in my career that I want to win,” Reyes said. “I say it over and over. I want to win. I don’t want to spend the rest of my career on a last-place team. That’s not the kind of player I feel like I am.”

The Rockies shipped Tulowitzki in exchange for three young pitching prospects they hope will help them win, some day. The Rockies took on Reyes’ contract in part because they saved around $50 million in future commitments to Tulowitzki.

The Rockies also needed a placeholder at shortstop until younger players, led by Trevor Story, are ready for the big leagues. The Rockies are building for the future — but it’s difficult to see when they’ll compete for the postseason.

Reyes does not want to wait long.

“We’ll see what happens here,” he said. “But in the next couple years, I don’t want to waste my time like that.”

The Rockies last week sent Reyes through waivers, according to CBS Sports, meaning 29 other teams could have claimed him. They didn’t. And now the Rockies can trade Reyes.

Reyes, a four-time all-star with the New York Mets, was an elite-level shortstop from 2005 to 2012. He led baseball in stolen bases three years in a row, including 78 swipes in 2007. He was the NL batting champ in 2011. He led the majors in triples four times.

With his huge salary and declining production, though, it may be difficult to move him. Reyes’ OPS this season is below .700 for the first time since 2005. Among 25 qualifying shortstops, Reyes ranks last in defensive runs saved this season, at minus 12.

“I’ve been showing who I am for a long time. Coming to this league again, I have to perform,” Reyes said. “I didn’t come here just because they traded me. I have to do my job. … At the end of the year, you’ll see my numbers. My numbers are always there.”

Reyes and the Rockies are still searching for his role. He has hit leadoff, in place of Charlie Blackmon, and in the second spot, bumping down DJ LeMahieu.

“We all know there’s plenty left in there,” Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. “He’s been a dynamic player in this league for a long time. Just spray the ball from line to line and use his legs.”

If Reyes remains with the Rockies through this month’s final trade deadline, his name surely will crop up in trade rumors this winter. Reyes said he’s ready for it.

“I don’t have to prove myself to anyone,” he said. “People know what I’m capable of. I’ve spent a long time in this game. My numbers are down. Stolen bases, triples, whatever. But I’m 32 years old. If there’s some part of my game I need to change, it’s to stay healthy. Just stay on the field. At this point in my career, I have to be smart.”

Nick Groke: ngroke@denverpost.com or twitter.com/nickgroke