Jon Niese Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz, Speculation Surrounding Mets P

With the New York Mets desperately seeking offense, the team may be willing to part with Jon Niese to make that happen. 

Continue for updates. 

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Niese Available for Right Price

Wednesday, July 29

Dave Gersham of Baseball Essential reported according to a source, the Mets are "pushing" to trade Niese and prospects, but not pitcher Zack Wheeler.

According to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark on July 23, the Mets are making Niese available with very specific terms about what they will take in return:

Niese's contract, which pays him $9 million guaranteed next season and $21 million over two team options in 2016-17, does make him a valuable asset the Mets could reasonably part with. He's not an integral part of their future like other rotation mates Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey and Noah Syndergaard. 

Plus, the Mets will be able to replace Niese in 2016 with the return of Zack Wheeler from Tommy John surgery. That does assume Wheeler suffers no setbacks, which isn't a given, but the Mets have reasons to be encouraged thanks to Harvey's successful return.

The Mets currently sit at 49-46 entering Thursday, just 2.5 games out of a playoff spot, but rank 29th in runs scored and OPS (.658). Finding ways to upgrade that anemic offense without sacrificing key pieces of the future is crucial for the front office at this point. 

It will be difficult to meet the demands Stark lists, but some team seeking rotation depth might be willing to bite. There's more than one week to go before the non-waiver trade deadline on July 31, so the Mets have time to dangle their bait.  

Stats via ESPN.com