Who Should The Mets Move? Jon Niese or Dillon Gee

Photo Courtesy of @Lets86It

With the New York Mets set to enter the trade market this winter, they are going to have to trade something to get something.  If there is one area of strength within the organization, it is starting pitching, but the Mets don't seem eager to go down that path just yet.

Even prior to his need for Tommy John surgery, Matt Harvey was going to be untouchable.  The same likely goes for Alderson's star acquisition to date, Zack Wheeler, and the team's front office has stated it will not part with top prospect, Noah Syndergaard.  If those three aren't available, teams will have to look at the Mets only remaining Major League caliber offerings: Jon Niese and/or Dillon Gee.

If I had to chose, I would say that Jon Niese has the higher ceiling of the two.  The only lefty in the Mets rotation for much of the season, he remains under contract through at least the 2016 season with team options for both 2017 and 2018.  At minimum he's owed only $21 million over the next three seasons.  When in control of his pitches, Niese has a good fastball and an excellent curveball.  However, the issue with Jon remains health as he pitched only 143 innings last year and seems to often battle fatigue issues throughout the year.  Despite never having a major arm ailment, this may be a red flag to inquiring minds.

Dillon Gee is a different kind of pitcher.  Despite leading the Mets with twelve wins in 2013, Gee would probably be shopped as a young, consistent back of the rotation arm who has gotten better each of the past three seasons.  Like Niese, Gee remains under team control through 2016, as he is just entering his first arbitration eligible year right now.  That likely makes him a cheaper option than Jon.  Furthermore, with the exception of a circulatory issue in his throwing arm in 2012, Gee has been much more dependable from an injury standpoint.

Photo Courtesy of @Lets86It

Each pitcher has their upsides, with both having the capabilities to impact the starting rotation wherever they hypothetically land.  I have been a big defender of Niese, as I have long believed he had the stuff to be an ace at the Major League level, but he just doesn't have the consistency to put it together.  Gee on the other hand is what he is, a #4 starter at best who you can be certain is going to give you six or so effective innings every time he takes the mound.  There is a ton of value in that!

I suppose what I'm saying is that I would prefer to see the Mets part with Jon Niese at this point if I had to chose between the two.  I think the fact that he is a lefty with a higher ceiling may make him more attractive on the trade market.  Along with the fact that the acquiring team could have him under their wing for as many as five years at a reasonable price also serves him well.

For everything he does well, I just think Niese remains the bigger question mark for the Mets between the two.  His seemingly repetitive trips to the disabled list make me wonder if a major arm event is in the cards going forward.  The Mets have too many of those to navigate as it is, and while Dillon Gee could just as easily fall victim to the same fate, the writing appears to be on the wall for Niese. 

Whether either gets traded or where they might end up remains to be seen, however each of the Blue Jays, Rockies and Red Sox have had interest in Niese in the past.  Each of those teams have players that the Mets should be interested in this winter.  Does that mean anything at this point?  I don't know, but if it were my decision to make Jon Niese is the man I move this winter.

Like what you read?  Follow me on Twitter at @RobPatterson83.

Jose Bautista On The Mets..Yes, Please!

Ben Nicholson-Smith of SportsNet Canada reported yesterday that the Toronto Blue Jays could be open to trading any one of a number of players on their current major league roster, to include right-fielder Jose Bautista.  Guess who's in the market for a right-fielder?  You guessed it, the New York Mets.

Bautista is an interesting offseason option for the Mets' front office.  He remains under contract for the next three seasons, set to make $14 million in both 2014 and 2015, and finally has a team option for the same in 2016.  The front office would probably say that's a lot of money to allocate to an outfielder who will be thirty-three when he arrives for spring training next year.  To be honest they may be right, but having the option to make only a two year commitment should things go south, should be appealing to Alderson and Co.

If a trade were to go down, Bautista would instantly become the team's best offensive outfielder and arguably the best bat on the roster.  That said, he does have injury concerns, having played only 118 games last season and just 92 the year before that.  If he did make it through a full season, he would threaten to hit forty home runs and drive in well over one hundred runs.  The Mets haven't seen that type of production from an outfielder since Carlos Beltran's 2006 campaign.

The other perk to Bautista over some other potential outfield trade options (think CarGo or Stanton) is the Mets would have to part with much less to get him.  The two teams also have a history together (RA Dickey/Travis d'Arnaud).  Plus, JP Riccardi has worked within the Blue Jays system.

So sure, Baustista represents a considerable risk for the Mets.  He may come in and struggle to stay on the field just like the aforementioned Beltran did, but he would be a short term risk.  If things go well, the Mets could pick up the option year on his contract.  If they don't, the Mets can walk away or look to trade a power hitting outfielder in the last year of the deal (Alderson is good at this).

On the surface I like the idea.  I think its a good fit for the Mets provided they don't have to give up too too much in the trade.  I think he allows the team to make a quality addition who will help the team now, but also won't tie up payroll very long.  I think that would be ideal, but its still early and other options could come available as the winter moves on.

That's my two cents.  What do you think?  Is Bautista a viable option for the Mets or would you prefer they look elsewhere?

Side Note:  Bautista follows me on Twitter (no clue why), you should too at @RobPatterson83.