On Monday it was said the New York Mets could trade starting pitcher Dillon Gee within the month because some within the organization preferred prospect Rafael Montero. They may not even have to worry about trading Gee to make room.
The 24-year-old Montero hurled six scoreless innings against the Miami Marlins on Monday and allowed only two hits and struck out six. He's 2-0 with a 2.40 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 14 strikeouts in four games (two starts), totaling 15 innings this spring. He could make a late push for the No. 5 spot in the rotation.
"There [was] a certain presumption that Dillon is the guy and I'm not sure that has changed," general manager Sandy Alderson told Mike Puma of the New York Post. "But Montero has done everything he possibly can to change that presumption, so we'll have to see."
"Dillon Gee is a guy who has been over .500 on a team that has not been over .500 and that has got to be a huge consideration," added manager Terry Collins. "But Rafael Montero is certainly making a play for it."
Gee has solid stats himself, having posted a 2.49 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in seven games (four starts), for a total of 21 2/3 innings. However, his opponents' batting average (.263) and eight walks are much higher than Montero's (.196 OPP and two walks) even for having pitched 6 2/3 more innings than the prospect.
The Mets tried to trade Gee earlier in the offseason, but couldn't work out a deal. Then it looked like a blessing in disguise they couldn't trade him because Zack Wheeler went down with a partially torn UCL and needed Tommy John surgery, which cleared the path for Gee. But the renewed speculation that he could get dealt shows that the team may be willing to move on with who they have. Prospects Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz could make their debuts in 2015 as well.
New York bolstered their bullpen this week in acquiring lefty relievers Alex Torres and Jerry Blevins, which could further indicate Gee is no longer a commodity on the pitching staff.
Collins should be making his final decision in a few days.
