New York Mets Rumors: Will Dillon Gee Be Traded?

New York Mets Rumors: Dillon Gee’s name has been brought up in multiple trade discussions. Will he be on the move sooner than later?

Arguably the most exciting and hectic time of the baseball year is underway, as the Winter Meetings are heating up in San Diego. While some teams have made headlines, namely the Chicago duo of the White Sox and Cubs, another dual baseball city has been relatively quiet. Going into the winter with distinct needs, the New York Mets have been surprisingly quiet on the trade and free agent front. But there are some rumblings that the Mets are working the phones in hopes of moving a pitcher, and the one being mentioned the most is starting pitcher Dillon Gee.

It is no secret that the Mets are looking to upgrade the shortstop position, and wouldn’t mind adding to their outfield or bullpen as well. But what would Gee be able to bring in return?

More from Empire Writes Back

Last season Gee missed some time because of injury, making 22 starts and finishing with a 7-8 record, throwing 137.1 innings with a 4.00 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. He struck out 94 batters, while walking 43 and surrendering 18 home runs. Not otherworldly numbers, but definitely solid for someone who would slot in as middle-end of rotation starter.

A number of teams are in on trading for Gee, with the Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, San Francisco Giants, Kansas City Royals, San Diego Padres all being linked to Gee and the Mets. The newest team to get into the foray is the Colorado Rockies, who are always desperate for pitching.

The Mets actually had an offer from the Twins for Gee, as they would have sent 25-year old Eduardo Escobar straight up for the Mets’ righty. As expected, and rightfully so, the Mets declined the offer, as Escobar wasn’t seen as enough of an upgrade of Wilmer Flores, the incumbent starter right now for the Mets at shortstop. Escobar hit .275 with six home runs and 37 RBI in 433 at-bats with the Twins last season.

Apr 30, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher Rex Brothers against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Who are some other players the Mets could target in exchange for Gee? One name they seem to be targeting from the Rockies is reliever Rex Brothers. Brothers struggled last season with the Rockies, finishing with a 5.59 ERA in 74 appearances, throwing 56.1 innings. His ERA was inflated, but he did strike out 55 players, and is only one year removed from a dominant season when he was a part-time closer for the Rockies, when he had a 1.74 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 67.1 innings pitched. He also registered 19 saves and 12 holds in 2013.

Brothers would fill a hole for the Mets in the bullpen, as he is left-handed, something the Mets are lacking as Josh Edgin is the only lefty currently in the bullpen. Brothers, even after struggling in 2014, would be a great addition to what is shaping up as a dominant bullpen for the Mets. Brothers would be another hard-throwing option for late game situations to be added to Jenrry Mejia, Jeurys Familia and Vic Black, who are all right-handed.

More from New York Mets

The Rangers are a team the Mets could matchup with, as they are looking for pitching and happen to have two shortstops they could move in Jurickson Profar and Elvis Andrus. Neither player will be acquired by Gee solely, or even the main piece coming from the Mets most likely. Prying either of those players from the Rangers, especially Profar, would take a bigger package, one most likely headlined by one of their high ranking pitching prospects such as Noah Syndergaard or Rafael Montero, or even possibly Zack Wheeler.

The Mets though are intent to move Gee it would seem, as multiple sources are saying he is being shopped aggressively by the Mets. While there are names being thrown out, no team can be counted out as the Winter Meetings bring about unexpected resolutions out of the blue more often than not.

Home/New York Mets