Mets Rumors: Curtis Granderson Not Available For Trade

New York Mets Rumors: Curtis Granderson is reportedly not available in trade as the Mets push to move Jay Bruce instead.

New York Mets rumors have been persistent in recent days, mostly involving their outfield. The Mets will make a trade this offseason involving an outfielder; it is a matter of when not if. With Yoenis Cespedes back in the fold, the Mets now have five outfielders that need playing time. The only way to change that is by making a trade.

Cespdes is not going anywhere after signing a four-year contract earlier in the offseason. He will man left field or center field on a daily basis. Juan Lagares, the only natural centerfielder on the roster, isn’t going anywhere either. Teams have called about Michael Conforto, but he is a part of the Mets future and won’t be moved unless they are blown away.

That leaves Jay Bruce and Curtis Granderson. Bruce was acquired by the Mets at the MLB Trade Deadline from the Cincinnati Reds and had a rough start to his Mets career. He was benched at points before finishing the season on a high note the final week.

More from Mets Rumors

• New York Mets: The Wilpon’s blew it again, remain owners
• New York Mets Rumors: Do not trade Wilmer Flores and his intangible assets
• New York Mets Reportedly Interested in Joe Girardi If Skipper Is Not Re-signed
• New York Mets: Joe McEwing Emerging as a Potential Candidate To Replace Terry Collins
• Mets Deal Neil Walker To Brewers

He is in the final year of his deal and will make $13 million in 2017. The Toronto Blue Jays have been in on Bruce for a while and made a push for him once again following the signing of Cespedes.

Granderson is in the final year of his four-year, $60 million deal he signed as a free agent with the Mets following the 2013 season. He has also garnered interest on the trade market, reportedly being the more popular of the two outfielders.

Despite the bigger market, the Mets do not seem interested in moving Granderson. According to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, opposing executives have said the Mets have not made Granderson available in trade. Instead, they are focusing on moving Bruce this winter.

While this may sound surprising based on the rumors and reports floating around, it should not be. Granderson is the superior players based on the Mets current needs and roster construction. Granderson can provide help in centerfield and can help the Mets at the top of their lineup. He also has a veteran presence that fits in the Mets locker room and is a consummate professional; look no further than him winning the Robert Clemente Award this year.

The best attribute that Bruce brings is his power and run production. Despite struggling the final three months of the season, Bruce hit 33 home runs with 99 RBI between the Reds and Mets.

Those are run producing numbers you would think teams would line up for. But, the free agent market is flush with power-hitting, designated hitter types. Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, Mark Trumbo, and Michael Saunders are all still available as free agents.

The Mets may have to wait things out to see which teams miss out on a hitter in free agency and have to turn to the trade market. If they are dead set on keeping Granderson, they might as well wait things out.

Next: New York Mets 10 Most Impactful Trades In Last 20 Years

The problem is that teams know the Mets need, and want, to make a move. The packages for Bruce may not be what they are looking for, as Heyman also noted that the Blue Jays are offering very little for Bruce. Waiting could expand his market, but the Mets could be looking at a very underwhelming package coming if they do not want to open discussions surrounding Granderson.