On Thursday morning, Mets beat writer Andy Martino decided to get fans all riled up by suggesting that New York has serious interest in acquiring Miami outfielder Giancarlo Stanton.
It's no secret that the Mets at least thought about dealing prospects for Justin Upton over the winter, and they offered Michael Bourn a substantial contract. With both players now on teams that are not the Mets, Martino says he has sources that say that the front office is hankering for some Giancarlo Stanton.
Of course, to even get close to a deal for Stanton, the Mets would have to make available top prospects Travis d'Arnaud and Zack Wheeler.
Would you trade those blue chippers for a guy who might become the premier slugger of his generation? I say, hell yes, duh, no brainer, but let's hear from people whose opinions actually matter.
"In a heartbeat," said one Mets official, who is not in Alderson's inner-circle of decision-makers, but has a voice in discussions. The guy then snapped his fingers. "Nothing against those kids, but it's Giancarlo."
There's also a quote from another "official" who dismisses the importance of a young catcher by saying, "You have John Buck now, and hey, Brian McCann is going to be a free agent."
Martino reports that Mets GM Sandy Alderson and Marlins GM Larry Beinfest discussed a possible deal for Stanton while sitting in golf carts during spring training. But wait, there's also a report that says otherwise.
A second source said that the two talked while sitting in the carts, but not necessarily about a trade, or Stanton, or any of this. Alderson did not return a phone call on Wednesday.
Okay, so the two team officials were definitely sitting in golf carts. That's the important part.
As for money, Martino reports that the Mets were willing to expand payroll to $125 million last winter if the right deal came into place.
Last season, Stanton hit .290/.361/.608 in 501 plate appearances as a 22-year-old. That includes a .304/.372/.591 line in Miami's cavernous Marlins Park. As dubious as the possibility of a deal between the Mets and the Marlins is, the details are still fun to think about.