While much of the buzz from the Winter meetings has died down with Angels and Marlins coming away the big winners, rumors surrounding the Mets continue to circulate. It was revealed last week that the team was listening to offers for young players such as Daniel Murphy and Jonathon Niese, with Joel Sherman of the New York Post explaining via Twitter that the “Alderson administration has no allegiance to any Mets player, if they think can turn $1 into $1.25, will do it with eye on their horizon which is long-term contention begin in 2014. By then, think Harvey, Wheeler, Familia, Mejia will be helping. Need position youngsters to add.”
If New York is that confident in it’s young pitching, which seems premature given the fact that only Mejia has pitched above Double-A, then a young left hander like Niese may bring back a huge haul in a pitcher-needy market and it would make sense to hear what other teams are offering.
As for the teams that may make a play for 11-game winner a season ago, Jon Heyman of SI.com tweeted this morning that several teams are still in pursuit:
#bbpBox_146572241927274496 a { text-decoration:none; color:#009999; }#bbpBox_146572241927274496 a:hover { text-decoration:underline; }3-4 teams still interested in jon niese. if package is right, mets will deal. seek young pitchers & catching prospect
about 1 hour ago via webReplyRetweetFavorite
@JonHeymanCBSJon Heyman
Last week Sherman listed what felt were his top four suitors for the 25-year-old southpaw:
#bbpBox_144568947193290752 a { text-decoration:none; color:#0084B4; }#bbpBox_144568947193290752 a:hover { text-decoration:underline; }#Bluejays r other team joining #Redsox #Padres #Rockies pushing hardest for Niese #MetsDecember 7, 2011 7:08 pm via Twitter for BlackBerry®ReplyRetweetFavorite
@Joelsherman1Joel Sherman
Andy Martino also threw the another hat into the ring, tweeting that the “Yankees contacted Mets after seeing reports that Niese was available. Talks described as preliminary. Mets seeking Major Lg ready talent.”
Photo by Michael G. Baron
It’s strange to think that a team like New York, after ridding itself of several aging veterans, would consider moving young players like Murphy or Niese, but these situations are all about getting more than your giving. Nobody is saying the front office is down on either player, just that they’re listening. If in fielding offers it becomes clear that another teams values ANY of the Mets assets far more than they do or has an immediate need which is driving them to overbid, then I think any offer the team would seriously consider would please fans in the long run.
Either that or the Mets have completed their transformation into the Oakland A’s and are getting rid of Niese before he becomes too pricey in 2015! I choose not to believe that that’s the case, but your guess is as good as mine.
Feel free to follow us on Twitter (@Metszilla) and on our Facebook page to keep up on all the Mets related hot stove activity!
Original Story:
