The Mets were surprised by Ben Zobrist’s decision to spurn them for the Cubs, but that doesn’t mean they’re likely to re-sign Daniel Murphy as a backup plan, Mike Puma of the New York Post writes. Puma notes that the Mets would have interest in Murphy on a one- or two-year contract, but they expect him to get four years elsewhere. The Mets are also “lukewarm” on Howie Kendrick and Asdrubal Cabrera. Ian Desmond is another possibility, with Wilmer Flores moving to second, but the Mets are wary about his defense. Puma notes that the Mets could just go with 21-year-old Dilson Herrera at second and focus on upgrading elsewhere. That option strikes me as a fairly good one — Herrera is young, but he’s hit brilliantly in the upper minors and certainly looks like he’ll be ready to start soon if he isn’t already. Here’s more on the Mets.
- The Mets have listened to trade offers regarding lefty Jon Niese, Puma writes. If they were to deal Niese, they could use Rafael Montero as their fifth starter until Zack Wheeler is ready to return after having had Tommy John surgery in March.
- The Mets are interested in Pirates second baseman Neil Walker, but aren’t optimistic they’ll be able to swing a deal, Puma tweets. Walker could conceivably take over at second base for the Mets in 2016, after which he’ll be a free agent.
- The Mets met with Ben Zobrist’s representatives at Octagon yesterday, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York tweets, but the two sides actually talked about other Octagon players. That could mean anything, but via MLBTR’s Agency Database, Octagon clients who could be of interest to the Mets include Cabrera, Gerardo Parra, Fernando Rodney and Edward Mujica. Cabrera and Parra have both recently been connected to the Mets.
Not intended as a knock on the Mets, but if i were a talented player on what was likely his last contract, I think the idea of going to the Cubs, and maybe being part of history, might really intrigue me.
With the price these pitchers are going for, ($31 mill/yr for an ace, prospects that Miller
brought, and he’s a #3,#2 at best, with what the Marlins are asking for Hernandez); I think the Mets should call the Dodgers, and offer Harvey straight up for Cory Seager. The
Dodgers can always just buy one of the SS coming out of Cuba. If they have to, the Mets
can also throw in Tejada to tide them over or use as a utility IF. That would give the Dodgers 3 years of control to extend Harvey.
Are you sure you want that?
Even after what the Shelby trade?
Sounds like a Dodger fan trying to pry Harvey away lol.
That should be Fernandez for the Marlins.
The Mets dodged a bullet in missing out on Zobrist.
Ian Kinsler has been universally accepted as an expensive long term awful contract for an aging star. Kinsler is a year younger, signed for a year less, will make $3 MM less over the next three years, has a slightly better career OPS and led MLB last year in advanced defensive sabremetrics last year.
Where are the critics of this deal?
terrific point
As a Mets fan I really liked Zobrist but he is 35 years old. Last year Cudyer and this year they wanted Zobrist. Let Herrara play second, sign or trade for a big bat in the outfield and get a couple of bullpen arms.
I’m not sure the Mets would want to give up what the Pirates would want.
Niese looks good but he’d be a drop in replacement for Locke. Niese had a 0.9 War last year while Locke some how had a 1.6. It would also go against the pirates trying to save money (10M minimum with buyouts for Niese)
Gee would be nothing more than a project pitcher who could hopefully hold a spot long enough for one of the prospects to come up. at 5.3M and had a 0.3 WAR
Pirates MLB needs are Starters, small need at first and pen help.
Harvey for seiger???wtf???I would trade harvey for a betts and moncada or a aj pollock and an infield prospect…Now listen i would love to sign harvey through his first couple of years of free agency, im shocked that the mets have not offered him a contract extension yet, one would assume with boras as his agent he will turn it down asap so the idea is to seee where they stand, if they say no, trade him asap cause the more he gets close to free agency in three years the less value he has to players in return, if the mets do try to shop him and see that they cant get equal value back then you play the year out and shop him next year. Now as far as the team goes in my opinion after the no no by ben, i would sign murphy, put him at first and then trade duda for relief help which is a must, Duda has trade value cause he has pop, decent fielder and is not majing s ton of money..I would hold on to niese cause you never know what can happen with these pitchers…I would bring up herrera to play the infield with flores and last but not least, i would personally go after upton unless i can get cespedes at a 4 yr deal worth $110 which will be unlikely, Upton is 28 years old i think, give him a 6yr $150 contract, the guy has a ton of pop, strikes out quite alot but is a very good outfileder and has a ton a speed, he would be a great addition to this team..Lets Go Mets!!!