Ken Davidoff of the New York Post, comprises a list of five external shortstop options he believes can solve the Mets problem at the position.
Davidoff writes that the Mets can’t shrug their shoulders at their shortstop problem.
“Should their internal options fail, the Mets have put themselves in a position where they’ll be compelled to look at the trade market. You don’t start the season 16-10, having given up the fourth-fewest runs in baseball and then shrug off an obvious liability.”
He lists the five most logical targets for the Mets to upgrade at shortstop as follows:
1. Alexei Ramirez, White Sox – There were some rumors surrounding Ramirez last Winter but they were very short lived. He has $10 million owed this year with a $10 million team option for 2016, and a $1 million buyout.
2. Asdrubal Cabrera, Rays – Has a one-year, $7.5 million deal, but Rays may not be in a position to move him unless they fall deeper out of the race. The Mets reportedly spoke with Cabrera before he signed with the Rays.
3. Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies – Lots of rumors connecting the Mets to Tulowitzki this past winter, and almost all of them were complete bullshit and fabrications according to both GMs. Ahh blog-sourced rumors, don’t you love them? The cost to the Mets would be enormous and I don’t see a match. In fact, after two years of rumors I’ve never seen a match. It’s probably why he’s in Denver rather than Flushing.
4. Starlin Castro, Cubs – Problem here is that both GMs are overvaluing their players, making any deal very unlikely. The two teams probably are the best match for a deal, but both GMs want to hammer the other, making any deal prohibitive.
5. Jimmy Rollins, Dodgers – No way. Rollins is done.
Other options may include Jean Segura and Deven Marrero, assuming the Brewers and Red Sox are willing to deal them.
