Mets Rumors: Playing Fact or Fiction with the Latest Talk

The New York Mets, like all other baseball teams, are actively involved in the current offseason.

During this time, every team looks through free agency and the trade market to find upgrades in order to improve.

Rumors, which may not always end up being true, are part of the territory during the offseason.

Here is the latest version of "fact or fiction" with the Mets' most recent free-agency and trade rumors. 

Troy Tulowitzki

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

The Mets' most pressing need right now is to address what they plan on doing at shortstop.

Is Wilmer Flores the shortstop of the future? Can the Mets find an upgrade of some sort in free agency or the trade market?

One name that appeared earlier this month was Troy Tulowitzki of the Colorado Rockies.

"

Mets aren't done. They've talked with the Rockies about Troy Tulowitzki, sources tell Y! Sports. Fear they can't afford, but talking still.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 10, 2014"

However, according to Adam Rubin of ESPN, a trade for Tulowitzki will not end up happening due to disagreements regarding finances and prospect value.

Fiction 

Alexei Ramirez

David Banks/Associated Press

Another shortstop that has been on the Mets' radar is Alexei Ramirez of the Chicago White Sox.

Ramirez should not have as expensive a pricetag as Tulowitzki. However, it looks like the White Sox may still want a little more than the Mets would prefer to give up for him.

"

On Alexei Ramirez, #WhiteSox prefer young SPs like Syndergaard/Wheeler/Montero, while #Mets prefer to deal Niese/Gee/Colon. (1/2)

— Andy Martino (@MartinoNYDN) November 11, 2014 "

"

But that's an early read on the situation. Not saying the gap is unbridgeable.

— Andy Martino (@MartinoNYDN) November 11, 2014"

The Mets clearly would like to move at least one of their veteran pitchers with all of the young pitching talent they have at the major league level right now.

However, if the White Sox will only move Ramirez for a pitcher or two like Noah Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler or Rafael Montero, it could easily complicate matters.

The Mets may be able to use a shortstop upgrade, but if it's at the cost of a young stud pitcher, it would be a very tough decision to make.

No other significant rumors between Ramirez and the Mets have popped up since, so there just isn't enough evidence to think that he will likely be a Met in 2015.

Fiction 

Incumbent Mets

John Minchillo/Associated Press

While the Mets are buyers this offseason, that does not mean they necessarily plan on keeping every single player on the current roster.

According to Adam Rubin of ESPN, the Mets will consider moving second baseman Daniel Murphy if they end up trading for a shortstop that can hit well. However, considering that none of the shortstop trade talks have progressed much so far, it currently looks like Murphy will remain a Met in 2015.

On the pitching side, the Mets could afford to move at least one of Jon Niese, Dillon Gee or Bartolo Colon with all the young pitching depth they have right now. However, the trade market for veteran pitchers has not been too kind to the Mets so far.

"

so far, very few inquiries from other teams about Colon, Niese and Gee, I was told. And "very few" might be overstating.

— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) November 17, 2014"

The Mets can only have so many pitchers on the major league roster at one time, so if they fail to make any trades for any of those three pitchers, that could possibly create some depth problems in the spring.

There are quite a few variables to consider, but the bottom line is that the Mets have a glut of pitchers and at least one of them needs to get moved elsewhere.

All in all, there have been no significant rumors regarding Murphy, Niese, Gee, Colon or any other current Mets. Thus, all rumors so far for them have not amounted to anything.

Fiction