The Mets are not interested in acquiring Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, according to several reports from the team’s beat writers.
In the wake of dealing Troy Tulowitzki to the Blue Jays, the Rockies are now looking to deal CarGo as they look to do a complete rebuild in Colorado.
The Mets are interested in acquiring a big bat, but have made it known that Gonzalez isn’t that guy.
While Gonzalez, 29, is enjoying a nice July after struggling most of the year, his splits are very telling and make him a player the Mets should avoid.
Home: .301 AVG, .936 OPS
Away: .256 AVG, .738 OPS
Vs RHP: .312 AVG, .985 OPS
Vs LHP: .162 AVG, .398 OPS
Additionally, 2014 and 2015 are CarGo’s two worst seasons of his career and his peak year was in 2010 – six years ago.
Then consider the cost in high-end prospects and the contract you take on which is $7-8 million for the rest of this season and then another $37 million through 2017.
And where does Michael Conforto play in 2016? Do we just shove him off to the side?
Sorry, but I have to disagree with my counterpart Matt Cerrone at MetsBlog who writes, “Ugh! I don’t understand why the Mets wouldn’t be interested in Gonzalez, who would be a terrific addition to Citi Field.”
Sorry, CarGo is anything but a perfect fit, and he poses a significant injury risk on top of everything else I already pointed out.
8:00 AM Update
The New York Mets have been very busy upgrading their roster with the recent acquisitions of Kelly Johnson, Juan Uribe, and now Tyler Clippard.
However by all accounts, Sandy Alderson is not finished yet and continues to shop for an outfielder. According to David Lennon of Newsday, the Mets are optimistic they could still acquire one more player.
Beat reporter Marc Carig hears the same and adds that the recent flurry of moves has asserted the Mets’ standing in the market as a serious buyer.
“After years of skepticism from fans and media members, anything is possible. And the rest of the baseball world has taken notice. Said one evaluator: They aren’t done.”
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports the Mets are still in the mix for Brewers outfielder Gerardo Parra along with the Los Angeles Angels, Baltimore Orioles and a “mystery team.”
“Parra is a certain bet to go somewhere considering his status as a free agent after the year and very nice season,” Heyman says.
One outfielder that has also been connected to the Mets is Carlos Gomez, also of the Brewers. However, several MLB sources told Heyman they believe “Gomez won’t end up going anywhere.”
Other outfielders the Mets checked in on are Justin Upton – who was deemed to pricey, Ben Zobrist – who they may no longer need anymore with acquisitions of Uribe and Johnson, and Jay Bruce – who the team reportedly shopped Zack Wheeler for.
They’ve also been connected to Troy Tulowitzki, although the club reportedly believes the Rockies aren’t yet motivated to move their star shortstop.
The Mets still have assets they can move to acquire a big bat, and they reportedly include top prospects OF Brandon Nimmo, RHP Michael Fulmer and SS Gavin Cecchini.
Alderson said earlier this week that he is seeking a big piece and has the financial resources to take on a significant salary.
The combined financial commitment of the three players the Mets have acquired is just under $5 million dollars. All of it is easily cover by the roughly $11 million the team received in insurance payments on David Wright‘s contract.
So that’s the latest on the Mets trade rumor front for now, but I’m sure it will start buzzing again by this afternoon.
