According to Ken Davidoff of the New York Post, the Mets reached out to the Athletics about third baseman Danny Valencia before they ultimately acquired Kelly Johnson from the Braves.
Valencia, 31, is in the midst of a career year, hitting at a .327/.370/.550 clip for Oakland and can become a free agent after the 2017 season.
It’s a tough time in the season to acquire players though, because team’s who believe they are in the thick of things aren’t exactly eager to part with everyday players.
This is the case for the Athletics. Oakland’s GM Billy Beane stated, “The mode we’re in right now is survival mode. Our challenge has come in building a roster of healthy bodies. The idea of moving bodies right now is not very appealing.”
Beane and Mets GM Sandy Alderson have a close relationship, as Alderson was Beane’s predecessor in Oakland, as well as the two having already swung some trades in the past.
What is appealing about Valencia is that despite playing third base, he can also play the outfield which makes him a versatile option for in game defensive switches.
With David Wright undergoing surgery for the herniated disc in his neck that may very well end the captain’s season, we may hear the aforementioned Valencia’s name thrown around in rumors a lot over the next several weeks or so.
