MLB Trade Rumors: Why Gio Gonzalez to New York Mets Trade Makes No Sense

Just what are the New York Mets thinking? In a rebuilding phase, although they don't want to say it, they are in talks with the Oakland A's about possibly trading for Gio Gonzalez.

Now, at first sight, it looks like a good deal. Gonzalez has the type of stuff to be an ace for a long time at age 26. But with only a two year body of work, that is nowhere near a certainty.

The Mets won't be ready to compete for another few years at least and trading away all their prospects to Billy Beane in Oakland won't help them build a team for the future. I say "trading away all their prospects" because Beane has already asked the New York Yankees for a King's ransom in return for his best starter.

Beane wanted either  Dellin Betances or Manny Banuelos as well as Jesus Montero and top-flight Single-A prospect Mason Williams. The deal was no doubt too rich for the Yanks' liking, so GM Brian Cashman denied the trade.

No doubt Beane won't be looking to give a friendly discount to one of his mentors, Mets GM Sandy Alderson. Beane and Cashman are good friends, but that didn't stop Beane from asking for the world.

No shame in that, this is a business too.

But as far as the Mets as concerned, the most important thing is building a good farm system right now and developing the top talent they have coming up the ranks in the next few seasons. Gonzalez would be a nice fit and a cheap solution for New York, but to what end?

The Mets will be bad with or without Gonzalez, so they're better off holding onto their prospects for now and continuing to build for the future. New York can't depend on free agency alone moving forward and must build a foundation of young, homegrown talent.

This deal would no doubt clean out the Mets of their best young players in the minors.

I get the Mets possible urgency to do something big considering they've alienated their fan base. But still, this is a move that doesn't need to be made because the fan base will be very upset and frustrated no matter what if the team is losing.

Unfortunately, even with Gonzalez they STILL might be the worst team in the NL East.