Mets' outfield is kind of a mess
The Mets have plenty of outfielders—too many, even—but having plenty doesn’t necessarily mean having plenty of good options. So even as they keep searching for a trade partner to thin out their stash of left-handed-hitting right fielders (they currently have three of them), they’re also putting themselves on the market for an upgrade in center field. While they’re in talks with the Blue Jays about moving one of those extra right fielders, the Mets are also “semi-engaged” in trade discussions to fill the need, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
Re-signing Yoenis Cespedes earlier this winter took care of left field, and while they won’t need all three members of their current right field trio (Curtis Granderson, Jay Bruce and Michael Conforto), they certainly have enough to make sure the space is capably manned. But the best option currently on the roster for center field is Juan Lagares and his .245 TAv from last season.
So who’s available as an upgrade? They’ve had “off and on” discussions with the Pirates about Andrew McCutchen, though the veteran’s trade market has largely cooled in recent weeks. The Royals have two potential options, Lorenzo Cain and Jarrod Dyson, but the former is a one-year pickup when the Mets are reportedly looking for a longer solution and the latter is a bit too similar to Lagares. And there are a few other hypothetical options that Rosenthal mentioned, such as Billy Hamilton of the Reds.
All of which leaves the outfield situation more or less a giant question mark, though a very ripe land for rumors.
Rockies holding onto Blackmon and Gonzalez
By paying big for Ian Desmond, the Rockies made it appear as if they’re interested in trying to contend next year (or something like it). That apparently means that they aren’t interested in moving any of their core players this offseason, even as trade rumors have swirled around outfielders Charlie Blackmon and Carlos Gonzalez. General manager Jeff Bridich was fairly explicit about his intentions for the pair in an interview on MLB Network Radio on Tuesday, insisting "there’s never been any desire" to trade either.
Gonzalez is in the last year of his contract, while Blackmon has three years remaining. Either could have brought back a return for the Rockies that might have been fairly valuable in the long run—but for a team focusing its efforts on the here and now, keeping the two outfielders in place for the time being makes sense.
Potential Peavy-Padres reunion
The Padres are reportedly looking at the possibility of bringing back Jake Peavy, per Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune. After beginning his career in San Diego—and winning a Cy Young award there—the erstwhile ace was traded to the White Sox at the deadline in 2009. Now coming up on his 36th birthday, he’s spent his last three seasons in San Francisco and is coming off a particularly rough year. For the first time in his career, he was pushed to the bullpen, and he finished the season with a 5.93 DRA.
But starting pitching is the Padres’ most pressing need, and so Peavy is apparently on their list. They began modestly upgrading their rotation last week with the addition of Jhoulys Chacin, and per Lin, they’ve since “had discussions” with Peavy about bringing him back to where he started.
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