DALLAS — The Mets are talking to multiple teams about Jonathon Niese, with the Red Sox, Blue Jays, Padres and Rockies showing the most interest, The Post has learned.
In fact, even the Yanks made a call to inquire about Niese, though there were no indications it was more than exploratory. In catching prospect Austin Romine, the Yanks have just the kind of player the Mets are looking for if they trade Niese: a young, inexpensive, controllable position player in an area of need.
The Mets believe they have a stable of high-end pitching on the horizon in Matt Harvey, Jeurys Familia, Jenrry Mejia and Zack Wheeler, but lack the same pedigree in near major-league ready position players.
Those high-end arms make Niese somewhat expendable and the Mets are looking to capitalize on a thin starting pitching market, especially short in talented youngsters several years from free agency. So the Mets want to, in the words of one of their executives, at least “kick the tires” to see what Niese can return. And they have found a few teams, notably Boston, Toronto, San Diego and Colorado, enticed by the possibility.
The Mets are trying to collect as much young talent as possible that will blossom together, forming the cornerstone for a sustained contender, they hope, no later than 2014.
In general, the Mets are letting inquiring teams know they would talk anyone on their roster except David Wright. What they want to obtain is high-ceiling players that they control deep into the future. Meanwhile, following the free-agent loss of Jose Reyes, the Mets do not appear willing to let Wright go as well and further alienate their fans.
* The A’s have gotten a lot of inquiries, including from the Yankees, about yet another lefty starter, Gio Gonzalez. However, Oakland officials said there is no way they would trade Gonzalez during the Winter Meetings and would not at all unless they were overwhelmed.
The Oakland executives said since Gonzalez is just 26 and not due to be a free agent until after the 2015 season that he would not lose much value, if at all, if the A’s waited until next year’s Winter Meetings to deal him; as long as he is not injured.
Oakland also did not think it would get a trade done at the Meetings for closer Andrew Bailey, but were much further along in those efforts. The Red Sox are known to be interested.
Reyes deal sets off Ramirez
Jose Reyes’ arrival clearly has annoyed incumbent shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who now is being asked to move over to third base. Marlins president David Samson said owner Jeffrey Loria called Ramirez 30 seconds after the Reyes deal was completed to tell Ramirez he was a vital cog for the Marlins and would not be traded, which both men repeated yesterday to try to quell rumors that Ramirez wants out.
Loria said “the concept of Hanley playing third base is a no-brainer. He’s a tremendous athlete.” Asked if Ramirez should be upset, Loria explained, “A-Rod came to the Yankees and was asked to play third base (with Derek Jeter staying at short) and that has been a pretty terrific experiment. It is not an experiment anymore.”
* Reyes’ representatives had worked hard to try to get him a no-trade clause. But Marlins officials insisted they would not break their policy and give it to Reyes, Albert Pujols or anyone.
Thus, as some protection, Reyes had his contract heavily back-loaded, which would mean he likely could not be traded to a small-market team midway through the deal. Reyes makes $22 million in each of the final three seasons of the contract plus has a $22 million option for 2018 with a $4 million buyout.
Marlins out on Pujols
One lefty starter did indeed come off the board yesterday when Mark Buehrle spurned the favorite Nationals to sign a four-year, $58 million deal with the big spenders of this offseason, the Marlins.
The signing of Buehrle was the strongest sign yet that the Marlins were out on Albert Pujols. And late yesterday afternoon word circulated that Miami had pulled its offer for Pujols after making a publicized, underdog run to grab him away from the Cardinals.
The belief is Pujols will remain with the Cardinals, though early last evening USA Today was still reporting that even without the Marlins’ part of the negotiations that Pujols still had three suitors at 10 years at more than $200 million. The Cubs and Angels had been lurking on the periphery of these negotiations. The Cubs, though, seem more inclined to push hard for Prince Fielder while the Angels appeared to be moving toward inking C.J. Wilson.
Despite signing Buehrle, the Marlins were still insisting that they were in on Wilson and were offering six years. However, the Angels, despite a five-year proposal, were seen as the favorites, in part because Wilson is from southern California. If Wilson goes to the Angels, they are expected to test the trade market for Ervin Santana.
* Another relief pitcher was on the move, as Huston Street was traded from the Rockies to the Padres for a player to be named. Street is owed $8 million between 2012 salary and a 2013 buyout, and Colorado agreed to pick up $1 million. Before landing Street, San Diego had been talking to Francisco Rodriguez, a favorite of former Mets GM Omar Minaya, who is now an advisor to the Padres GM.
