Mets Trade Rumors: Mets engaged in center field trade discussions

The Mets appear to have a spot to fill in center field. On Friday, we wrote about this topic and came to the conclusion that while Curtis Granderson and Juan Lagares could probably patchwork it for a season and do a somewhat acceptable job, there are ways to measurably improve the position going forward. For a team that’s competing for a championship and most importantly, competing for a division that was topped by a formidable 95-win Nationals team this past season, the Mets need more than just “acceptable.”

This evening, Ken Rosenthal reports that the Mets fully realize they have a hole to fill in center field and have quietly been engaged in trade discussions. How serious those trade discussions are and whether they’ll ultimately bear fruit is anybody’s guess at this point but as Rosenthal points out, an acquisition of a center fielder wouldn’t just be a one-step move. The Mets would have to make multiple deals, shedding Jay Bruce and probably even Granderson in order to make it happen, while also finding a way to add relief help.

In his article, Rosenthal says that the Mets have had “off and on” discussions with the Pirates about Andrew McCutchen, characterizing them as “preliminary” and with “no apparent momentum.” They also spoke with the Royals at the Winter Meetings about their two center fielders Lorenzo Cain and Jarrod Dyson, though the Mets prefer options who are signed longer than both of the pending free agents. Rosenthal also brought up Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon and Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton.

Rosenthal describing the combination of moves necessary to make it all happen as “a 45-foot bank shot” doesn’t really inspire a ton of confidence at this point, but hey, at least we know the Mets realize they have a hole to fill in center. Hopefully they hit that bucket.