The New York Mets and general manager Sandy Alderson have less than 10 days to add a couple of bats before the trade deadline. Rumors indicate they're talking to the Oakland Athletics right now regarding a seasoned veteran. Ben Zobrist has been of interest to the Mets for quite some time, but recent talks find they could be moving closer to a deal with the Athletics.
"While nothing is imminent, the Mets have gotten as far as discussing pieces with the A's for a possible deal for Ben Zobrist, a source told The News Tuesday afternoon," writes Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News. "The A's have identified the prospects they would need to send the veteran utility man to New York."
Remember when Alderson said he'd be willing to "overpay" for a bat?
"When he said that, he had one player in mind - Ben Zobrist, The Post has learned," Joel Sherman of the New York Post wrote earier in July.
However, they'll have some competition on the trade market. Over the weekend Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reported the New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants and Washington Nationals are also interested in Zobrist, who will be a free agent after the season. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports added the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs could also make a run at the veteran.
With the uncertainty surrounding the return of David Wright, as well as Michael Cuddyer's nagging knee injury, the Mets could use a versatile player such as Zobrist because he can play multiple positions. Additionally, although he's only batting .259/.348/.421 with 37 runs scored, 5 home runs and 32 RBIs, he would definitely be an upgrade in the Mets' lineup.
So who might Alderson give up for two months of Zobrist?
"The deal the Mets spoke of earlier would have sent right-hander Rafael Montero to the A's for Zobrist, but the A's waited to see whether their luck would turn, and Montero has since gone on the DL," Heyman wrote last week. "Some Mets people are reluctant to trade a controllable righty for a rental, anyway."
Additionally, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal said on Tuesday that the Mets are interested in acquiring players they can control beyond the season and mentioned last night there are "no ongoing discussions between the Mets and Athletics on Zobrist."
New York needs to improve their offensive production if they want a shot at the postseason. They've been linked to a number of other names in trade rumors, such as Justin Upton, Carlos Gomez, Jean Segura, Aramis Ramirez, Gerardo Parra, Jay Bruce and others, but it's unclear who might be in a Mets uniform by July 31.
New York has the prospects to land almost any candidate on the trade market, so Alderson has many options to put the team in a better position to make a postseason run.
