Rafael Montero was part of the New York Mets trade discussions with the Detroit Tigers for second baseman Ian Kinsler according to Marc Carig of Newsday.
Carig notes that the talks got pretty serious to the point were several names were exchanged and various proposals were made. Though it likely wouldn’t have mattered with Kinsler unwilling to waive his no-trade clause to go to the Mets or two other teams interested in him according to Tigers GM Al Avila.
Montero, 27, went 5-11 with a 5.52 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and struck out 114 batters in a career-high 119 innings in 2017 for the Mets. He actually had a FIP of 4.37, BABIP against him was .366 and the hard hit % against him was only 26.4 (third best in majors). All those numbers suggest he was better than his ERA shows.
Montero also posted a career best 1.3 fWAR and only allowed 0.91 HR/9 (below league average of 1.27 HR/9). He will be arbitration eligible for the first time following the 2018 season and is under team control through 2021.
Given the Mets limited healthy valued prospects it certainly seems the Mets might have to depart with a cheap arm like Montero, Robert Gsellman or Seth Lugo if they hope to swing a trade for offensive help this offseason.
The Mets have now shifted their focus to Jason Kipnis for the second base vacancy. 
