Prior to the 2015 MLB season many believed the New York Mets would look to acquire a shortstop outside of the organization and move on from Wilmer Flores. That could soon be the case if Flores fails to improve his offense and defense.
Flores has minimal experience at the position in the MLB (72 total games) and didn't entirely impress in 78 games with the Mets in 2014. He logged 19 games at second base and one at third last year and it was unknown if the team was really satisfied with him batting .251/.286/.378 with 28 runs scored, 6 home runs and 29 RBIs over that stretch.
However, general manager Sandy Alderson insisted in the offseason that the team was sticking with Flores despite trade rumors surrounding Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.
That may change because Flores has kicked off the 2015 season batting just .240/.278/.387 with 10 runs scored, three home runs and eight RBIs in 22 games. He also already has seven errors in 21 games at shortstop. That certainly won't cut it for the Mets, who are looking to take back New York with their fast start to the season.
Considering Tulowitzki is likely an unrealistic option because he's going to command a lot of value in return and carries over $100 million in salary, could the Mets look to the Milwaukee Brewers and shortstop Jean Segura if Flores' woes continue and the Brewers continue to lose?
The Brewers (7-18) have the worst record in the MLB and have continued their awful stretch of losing since the second half of last season.
"Rivals are licking their chops at the possibility the Brewers might sell if things don't turn around," writes Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. "One rival exec gave his list of marketable Brewers: Carlos Gomez, Khris Davis, Jean Segura, Gerardo Parra, Kyle Lohse, Francisco Rodriguez."
Heyman isn't the only one speculating such a move by Milwaukee.
"... [the Brewers] should see if the Padres or Mets will overpay for Jean Segura and if Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik would be interested in reuniting with Ryan Braun. The only three players the Brewers should not consider dealing are Wily Peralta, Carlos Gomez and Jonathan Lucroy," writes ESPN Insider Jim Bowden.
"Segura will be eligible for arbitration for the first time this winter, and after that exceptional start to his time with the Brewers, various issues have contributed to the decline in his production. He also turned down a long-term extension offer from the Brewers," adds ESPN Insider Buster Olney.
But this doesn't seem like it's something the Mets are considering right now because Alderson reiterated he is not panicking about Flores' struggles at shortstop.
"General manager Sandy Alderson said Flores has 'plenty of room' to work out of his defensive funk," writes Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com.
"Alderson passionately defended Flores' capabilities as a shortstop on Friday afternoon.
"The GM noted that while Flores already has a half-dozen errors this season, those miscues largely have come on routine plays that he made at the major league level in 2014. So team officials staunchly believe the capability is there, despite Flores' detractors."
However, if Flores can't improve his glove or get his bat in a rhythm, New York may not have much of a choice and could look to make a move before the trade deadline.
