New York Mets Offseason Tracker: Hottest Free Agency News, Trade Rumors
The New York Mets have some talent on their roster, and with a couple of moves this winter, the team could turn into contenders next season.
Last year, the Mets made a couple of big splashes by signing Curtis Granderson and Bartolo Colon. Those moves showed that the front office was committed to winning, and this winter the club could benefit from being aggressive.
The Mets could use some help on offense. Outside of Daniel Murphy, David Wright and Juan Lagares, the team doesn't have anyone who can get hits consistently. Also, Granderson and Lucas Duda are the team's only legitimate power threats.
When healthy, the starting rotation is a real force. Improving the offense this winter is something that has to be a priority.
Stay tuned throughout November to see what is going on with the Mets.
*All stats are via MLB.com
Done Deals
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Done Deals
Nov. 10: Signed OF Michael Cuddyer to a two-year deal worth $21.5 million
Dec. 11: Signed OF John Mayberry Jr. to a one-year, $4.5 million deal
Dec. 19: Traded RHP Gonzalez Germen to the New York Yankees in exchange for cash
Rule 5 Draft
Dec. 11: Selected LHP Sean Gilmartin from the Minnesota Twins
Dillon Gee: Potential Trade Candidate
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Update: Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 11:22 p.m. ET
The San Francisco Giants have checked in on Gee, according to Fox Sports' Jon Morosi.
--End of Update--
Update: Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 11:22 p.m. ET
The Colorado Rockies and the Minnesota Twins have also spoken to the Mets about Gee, according to Fox Sports' Jon Morosi.
--End of Update--
Dillon Gee could be on the move this offseason.
According to Fox Sports' Jon Morosi, the Mets and the Texas Rangers are discussing a trade that would send the right-hander to Arlington.
The 28-year-old went 7-8 with a 4.00 ERA in 22 starts this year. That comes one season after he posted a 3.62 ERA in 32 starts. From 2013 (3.02) to 2014 (2.19), his strikeouts-to-walk ratio dropped significantly.
Gee made $3.6 million in 2014 and will get a modest raise now that he is eligible for arbitration for a second time.
Jon Niese: Potential Trade Candidate
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The Mets will consider trading Jon Niese if they get a good enough offer, according to ESPNNewYork.com's Adam Rubin.
The 28-year-old went 9-11 with a 3.40 ERA in 30 starts in 2014. He posted a 1.268 WHIP, thanks to the lowest walk rate (2.2 walks per nine innings) of his career.
He is 52-51 with a 3.87 ERA in 149 games (148 starts) through the first seven seasons of his career.
Niese will make $7 million in 2015 and $9 million in 2016. His contract also includes team options worth $10 million (2017) and $11 million (2018).
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Craig Breslow: Potential Free Agent Target
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The Mets have shown interest in free-agent reliever Craig Breslow, according to Fox Sports' Jon Morosi.
Breslow posted a 5.96 ERA and a 1.859 WHIP in 60 appearances last season. He struck out 37, walked 28 and allowed eight home runs in 54.1 innings.
The 2014 season was easily one of the worst of the 34-year-old's nine-year career. He had just posted a 1.81 ERA in 61 outings in 2013 and has a 3.20 ERA in 479 career appearances.
Stephen Drew: Free Agent Target
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If the Mets are unable to get a shortstop that they covet, Stephen Drew may be a "fallback option," according to the New York Post's Joel Sherman.
Drew missed the start of the 2014 season after not signing with the Boston Red Sox until May. In 85 games between the Red Sox and the New York Yankees, the 31-year-old hit .162 with seven home runs and 14 doubles.
The veteran shortstop has a career slash line of .256/.322/.425. He has hit 97 home runs in his nine-year career.
Drew is a talented player, but as he showed last offseason, he isn't going to settle for a contract that is less than what he thinks is fair.
Daniel Murphy: Potential Trade Candidate
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Update: Thursday, Nov. 13 at 12 p.m. ET
According to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com, the Mets are not interested in discussing a contract extension with Daniel Murphy anytime soon but are currently "reluctant" to trade him.
--End of Update--
Daniel Murphy made his first All-Star team in 2014, but with the second baseman set to become a free agent after next season, the team may look to trade him this winter.
There should be plenty of interest in the 29-year-old. This past season, Murphy hit .289 with nine home runs, 37 doubles and two triples.
In six seasons in the majors, Murphy has hit below .280 only once. That just happened to be his first full season in the majors.
ESPNNewYork.com's Adam Rubin wrote that the Mets appear to be interested in trading the second baseman. Murphy is set to get a nice bump up from the $5.7 million he made this season. Although Murphy has reportedly been willing to talk with the club about an extension, the team doesn't appear interested.
New York has a few internal options to replace Murphy, should it trade the veteran. Given that fact, the team may be very willing to put him on the trade block this winter.
Mets Reportedly Interested in Mariners Shortstops
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The Mets may turn to the Seattle Mariners in search of a shortstop, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com.
Seattle has a pair of young shortstops, Brad Miller and Chris Taylor.
The 25-year-old Miller hit .221/.288/.365 with 10 home runs in 123 games with the Mariners in 2014. He has a career slash line of .241/.302/.389 with 18 home runs in 199 career games.
The 24-year-old Taylor has zoomed through the Mariners' system since being drafted in the fifth round of the 2012 draft. He has a slash line of .320/.407/.463 with 15 home runs, 62 doubles, 19 triples and 69 stolen bases in three seasons in the minors.
New York will look over all of its options when it comes to shortstop. The Mariners could be a potential trade partner, given their talent at the position.
Troy Tulowitzki: Potential Trade Target
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Update: Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. ET
A trade for Troy Tulowitzki is "not happening" for the Mets, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. The remaining money on his contract and the amount of prospects it will take to acquire him is reportedly too much for the Mets.
However, New York does plan to upgrade its shortstop position via trade.
--End of Update--
Update: Monday, Nov. 10 at 11 p.m. ET
Colorado Rockies GM Jeff Bridich, per the New York Post's Joel Sherman, said there is "no substance" to the reports that the team has discussed Troy Tulowtizki with the Mets.
--End of Update--
Troy Tulowitzki is the best all-around shortstop in all of baseball—when healthy. He is a threat at the plate and a good defender. Staying on the field has turned out to be a bit of an issue for him, however.
Now, Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported that the Colorado Rockies are willing to listen on offers for Tulowitzki. Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reported that the Mets are talking to the Rockies about the 30-year-old shortstop.
Tulowitzki was a serious NL MVP in the first half this year. In 90 games this season, he hit .340 with 21 home runs and 18 doubles. He made his fourth NL All-Star team this year.
However, a torn labrum in his hip cost him nearly the entire second half. He played in the first two games after the All-Star break but did not appear in another game the rest of the way.
Tulowitzki has a career slash line of .299/.373/.517 and has hit 176 home runs in his nine-year career. Just imagine what his power numbers would look like if he was able to stay healthy.
Since playing his first full season in 2007, he has averaged just 117 games per season. He played in 155 games in his first full year in the majors and has played in more than 150 games in a season just once since then. He has averaged just 88 games the past three seasons, topping out at 126.
Tulowitzki is owed $114 million over the next six seasons, with at least a $5 million buyout guaranteed for the 2021 season. With that hefty contract and his injury history, the Mets may be a bit cautious about trading for him. Rosenthal reported that the Rockies will only trade Tulowitzki if they get full value—meaning what he's worth when he's healthy—for him, so the Mets won't be able to "steal" him.
New York was able to add outfield power without having to trade away any of its pitching. That means that if the team is serious about Tulowitzki, it has a full farm system to work with.
Nov. 10: Mets Sign Michael Cuddyer to 2-Year Deal
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The New York Mets announced on Twitter that they have signed outfielder Michael Cuddyer to a two-year deal. Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that Cuddyer will get $8.5 million in 2015 and $12.5 million in 2016, totaling $21.5 million over two years.
The Colorado Rockies had extended a qualifying offer to Cuddyer, so the Mets will have to give up a draft pick. The Mets lost their No. 15 overall pick in next year's draft.
New York was looking for a right-handed hitting outfielder who can hit for power. Cuddyer fits that description.
In 49 games with the Colorado Rockies this year, the 35-year-old hit .332 with 10 home runs and 15 doubles. He was the National League batting champion two seasons ago.
Cuddyer has 187 home runs in his 14-year career. Although he has played at Coors Field the past three years, he put up good power numbers in Minnesota. Obviously moving to Citi Field will hurt his power stats.
Although he has spent the majority of his career in the outfield, he has seen quite a bit of action at first, second and third.
The Mets needed some power and were willing to give up a draft pick to get it.
Yoenis Cespedes: Potential Trade Target
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As the Mets look for right-handed power in the outfield, Yoenis Cespedes could be a player to keep an eye on.
Andy Martino of the Daily News reported that the Mets may be monitoring Cespedes, who may be available in a trade. Bill Madden of the Daily News recently reported that the outfielder has rubbed the Boston Red Sox coaching staff the wrong way since coming over in a midseason trade. However, CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reported that Red Sox personnel denied the report's accuracy.
Cespedes also recently switched agencies and signed with Roc Nation, a move like that likely means he will be looking to get as much money as possible when he becomes a free agent next winter.
There's no denying that Cespedes' bat would be welcomed at Citi Field. The 29-year-old hit .260 with 22 home runs, 36 doubles and 100 RBI between the Red Sox and the Oakland Athletics this year. He is also the two-time defending Home Run Derby champion.
If Boston decides to make Cespedes available this offseason, the Mets may check in on him.
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