UPDATE:
#Mets talking to #Tigers about Cespedes, sources tell me and @jonmorosi. One of their many options.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2015
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The New York Mets have caught a ton of criticism over the past 18 hours after backing out of a trade that would have landed them outfielder Carlos Gomez from the Milwaukee Brewers. They're looking to make up for that failed transaction.
With the Detroit Tigers having traded David Price to the Toronto Blue Jays earlier today, is it likely they move outfielder Yoenis Cespedes as well? And would he be on general manager Sandy Alderson's radar?
"The Mets are still looking to add a big bat ... If Cespedes is dealt, word is he would not mind New York one bit," Jon Heyman of CBS Sports wrote, talking about a potential deal to the Mets.
#Mets have inquired to #Tigers on Yoenis Cespedes, but minimal progress in talks, source says.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 29, 2015
Additionally, Andy Martino of the New York Daily News said the Mets contacted the Tigers again about Cespedes after the Gomez deal fell through. Alderson is not keen on acquiring a rental player, but Martino noted that could change before Friday's deadline, especially since they talked about trading Zack Wheeler to the Cincinnati Reds for outfielder Jay Bruce (who is under contract through 2016) and the talks when nowhere.
New York offered Wheeler and Wilmer Flores for Gomez before the Mets backed out due to concerns over Gomez's hip when reviewing his medicals.
It's been said the Mets have Carlos Gonzalez on their radar as well. He's controllable through 2017, but he'll be making $37 million in the following two seasons and that may not be a contract Alderson wants to inherit. As a result, due to the slim pickings of outfielders under contract beyond 2015, he may be forced to acquire a rental.
Cespedes is one option. San Diego Padres' outfielder Justin Upton is another.
"Upton, you wonder, with the Mets deal falling apart with Gomez, you wonder if the Mets would make that deal," Bob Nightengale of USA Today said on the Baseball Tonight Podcast with ESPN Insider Buster Olney. "If they offered to trade Wheeler to San Diego, I think San Diego would do that in a heartbeat. I just don't know if [the Mets] would pay that steep of a price. But the Mets are the team that makes the most sense [for Upton]."
While it's certainly a possibility, Martino again reiterated the preferences of New York's front office.
#Mets not on Justin Upton because, in part, preference is to avoid half season rentals.
— Andy Martino (@MartinoNYDN) July 30, 2015
Last night it appeared the pressure was off of Alderson after it was reported Gomez was on his way to New York. Now that pressure has perhaps mounted even higher after the deal fell through and a rental acquisition could be on the way if his options are exhausted as the deadline approaches.
