The New York Mets (31-27) have managed to stay atop the NL East with a struggling offense and countless injuries. However, it appears they'll need to add a bat in the infield and general manager Sandy Alderson is willing to deal some of the team's pitchers.
New York has been linked to Milwaukee Brewers' third baseman Aramis Ramirez and shortstop Jean Segura as well as Oakland Athletics' utility man Ben Zobrist. The injuries to David Wright, Daniel Murphy and Dilson Herrera have forced New York to mix-and-match its infield. Wright's injury may also be long-term, leaving the team with a potential big decision to make.
At this point it's unknown what it would take to acquire Ramirez, Segura or Zobrist, but it's fairly evident who the Mets are willing to trade, as they hope to promote another prospect.
"[Dillon] Gee and [Jon] Niese are still available, as the Mets would probably like to add Steven Matz to their six-man rotation," Jon Heyman of CBS Sports wrote last week. "Some scouts are saying Matz 'is better than the others, except Harvey,' which means another starting pitching star is coming."
The Mets have abandoned the six-man rotation for the time being and Gee was relegated to the bullpen.
"Industry sources have told the Daily News that the Mets have amped up their attempts to trade Gee and left-hander Jon Niese in an attempt to make room in their rotation for lefty prospect Steven Matz," writes Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News.
They also appear to be shopping one of their younger arms.
"One of the Mets' top trade chips would be Rafael Montero, but the fact the right-hander hasn't pitched for more than a month because of shoulder soreness - he is expected to resume throwing this week in Port St. Lucie - hasn't helped," Mike Puma of the New York Post added.
They have another good trade chip in catcher Kevin Plawecki as starter Travis d'Arnaud nears his return to the Mets lineup, but Puma notes the rookie is "off limits in trade talks, at least in-season" because New York wants to keep good depth at the catcher position in case d'Arnaud suffers another injury.
Trading one of their starters makes the most sense because they have a surplus in that department at both the MLB level and in the minors. However, Gee, Niese and Montero are perhaps the least attractive of their options and the three may not be able to get a decent bat in return for their services. Montero might be able yield something of value if he manages to pitch well once he returns, but at this point it seems the team merely wants to get rid of Gee and/or Niese to make room for Matz.
Gee has one more year of arbitration eligibility and Niese is owed $9 million in 2016 with team options for 2017 ($10 million with $500K buyout) and 2018 ($11 million with $500K buyout).
"No Mets official is going to say this publicly, but Gee and to a growing extent Niese are placeholders whose jobs are to serve as insurance or - if everyone is healthy - be spotted at various points into a six-man rotation to lessen the workload of the others. That is unless they start pitching better and force a reassessment," writes Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
The Mets have plenty of time before the trade deadline to make room for Matz and acquire another capable bat in the infield, so we'll see what develops in the coming weeks on that front. For now, Gee will be in the bullpen and New York will roll with Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Bartolo Colon and Niese in the rotation.