Mets trade rumors: Team trying to deal Dillon Gee and Jon Niese

The Mets are reportedly trying hard to trade Jon Niese and Dillon Gee. Niese has put together a string of less-than-stellar outings lately. The lefty has given up four runs or more—including eight against St. Louis—in each of his last four starts. Gee has been rumored in trade talks since the offseason, but he had a poor outing in his return from the disabled list on Wednesday in San Diego, when he gave up seven runs, four of which were earned, on eight hits in just four innings.

Moving Gee seems like it would be an easier proposition than moving Niese, considering Gee is only guaranteed a $5.1 million this year and will be arbitration-eligible after the season. Niese is earning $7 million this year and will earn $9 million next year. His contract includes a $10 million team option for 2017 and an $11 million option for 2018.

The Mets have six starting pitchers at the moment, and Steven Matz has been very good in Triple-A Las Vegas. The 24-year-old lefty has a 1.98 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 68.1 innings pitched. He’s pitching so well that one evaluator raved about him, saying he looked like a major league pitcher pitching in rookie ball.